The Sydney Business Chamber has called on the NSW and Federal Governments to work together to resolve the shortage of berths east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to strengthen NSW’s economic share of the cruise industry.

Newly released data shows NSW is performing strongly, with NSW receiving 63 per cent of cruise line expenditure from the $4.58 billion national economic contribution in the 2015/16 fiscal year.

“Overall, the cruise industry is a great success story with close to 150,000 inbound international visitors to Australia, but Sydney’s share has declined due to lack of available berths for the largest ships,” Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber said.

Despite NSW’s dominance, its economic share continues to show a decline, dropping from 68 per cent in 2014/15. Other states, particularly Queensland, have benefitted as a result.

“The data included in the report, commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association Australasia, further reiterates the importance of addressing the infrastructure shortage east of the bridge,” Mrs Forsythe said.

“If we want to double our visitor spend by 2020, we need to create a second berthing location for cruise ships and the only viable option is some sharing of facilities at East Garden Island with the Department of Defence,” Mrs Forsythe said.

“Sydney is the port favoured by cruise passengers and with an industry on a clear upward projection it is time the issue was resolved at senior government level.”