By 
Keelung Port Records Historic Passenger Surge
[Keelung, Taiwan] — The maritime gateway to northern Taiwan is experiencing an unprecedented rebound, with passenger volumes skyrocketing from historic lows to new peaks. After the cruise industry effectively vanished from the region in 2022, recording only 487 international movements, the port has staged a dramatic comeback. By 2025, Keelung documented a record 993,020 international cruise passenger movements, representing a 26.2% increase over the previous year and surpassing the pre-pandemic benchmarks of 2019.
This momentum has carried into 2026, with flight and sea data showing 672,425 international movements between January and July. The peak of this early-year activity occurred in July, which saw 149,288 passengers—the highest monthly total for the first seven months of the year.
Dramatic Recovery Timeline for International Cruise Traffic
The collapse and subsequent rebirth of Keelung’s cruise sector highlight the volatility of the global travel market over the last seven years. The port's recovery was not linear but accelerated rapidly between 2023 and 2025.
| Period | International Cruise Passenger Movements | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 946,372 | Pre-pandemic benchmark |
| 2020 | 173,040 | Sharp disruption |
| 2021 | 68,346 | Weak activity |
| 2022 | 487 | Market effectively suspended |
| 2023 | 288,019 | Recovery begins |
| 2024 | 786,840 | Strong rebound |
| 2025 | 993,020 | Record; +26.2% YoY |
| Jan–Jul 2026 | 672,425 | Partial-year figure |
| July 2026 | 149,288 | Strongest month through July |
Monthly Traffic Distribution in 2026
Data from the first half of 2026 indicates that cruise traffic is distributed across several peak windows rather than a single season. While July emerged as the leader, March and June also saw international passenger counts exceed the 100,000 mark.
| Month | International Cruise Passengers | Total Passenger Movements |
|---|---|---|
| January | 75,054 | 79,632 |
| February | 42,447 | 51,108 |
| March | 110,346 | 119,939 |
| April | 133,372 | 153,180 |
| May | 57,086 | 74,959 |
| June | 104,832 | 123,068 |
| July | 149,288 | 163,319 |
| Jan–Jul | 672,425 | 765,205 |
The variance between the 672,425 international figure and the 765,205 total movements is attributed to domestic passenger activity within the port.
2025 Benchmarks and the Rise of Fly-Cruise Tourism
The 2025 fiscal year established a new gold standard for the region. According to reports from the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), the port handled 219 cruise calls, facilitating approximately 993,000 international movements. This performance significantly eclipsed the 2019 record.
A critical driver of this growth has been the "fly-cruise" segment. These are travelers who fly into Taiwan specifically to board a cruise or vice versa. Keelung recorded 61,000 foreign fly-cruise passengers in 2025, shattering the previous 2018 record of 38,000. This trend is particularly valuable for the local economy, as these travelers typically spend more time and money in Taipei's hotels and retail sectors before or after their voyage.
Japan and South Korea Dominate Foreign Market Shares
The demographic profile of visitors to Keelung is diversifying, though East Asian markets remain the primary drivers. Japan currently holds the largest share of the foreign market, accounting for 32.1% of all international cruise passengers.
| Market | Share of Foreign Cruise Passengers |
|---|---|
| Japan | 32.1% |
| United States | 16.0% |
| South Korea | 11.4% |
| Germany | 6.5% |
One of the most significant shifts occurred in the South Korean market. Their share surged from a modest 2.9% in 2024 to 11.4% in 2025. Industry sources link this spike to seven specific charter sailings by Costa Cruises between Korea and Keelung, which transported roughly 31,000 Korean nationals. Meanwhile, the United States (16%) and Germany (6.5%) ensure a steady flow of Western tourism.
Market Concentration Among Leading Cruise Lines
A small group of operators controls the vast majority of traffic at Keelung. In 2025, three companies accounted for 81.6% of all market activity:
- StarCruises: 79 calls; ~312,000 passengers.
- MSC Cruises: 30 calls; ~229,000 passengers.
- Costa Cruises: 42 calls; ~229,000 passengers.
Both StarCruises and MSC Cruises have indicated plans to increase their number of calls in 2026, suggesting that the current growth trajectory is sustainable.
Maiden Visits and Fleet Diversification
The port is attracting a wider variety of cruise products, evidenced by 19 maiden ship visits in 2025. New entrants included Villa Vie, Mitsui Ocean Cruises, Scenic Cruises, and Duwon Cruise & Ferry. Notably, the Villa Vie Odyssey set a national record for the longest multiday stay in Taiwan, remaining at the port for four days.
This trend of diversification continued into 2026 with the arrival of AIDA Cruises’ AIDAdiva, which brought 1,977 passengers on its first visit to Keelung.
Integrating Maritime Arrivals with Taipei Cultural Tourism
The surge in passengers is being leveraged to boost inland tourism. Using the AIDAdiva visit as a catalyst, TIPC launched a specialized "cruise-and-cycling" initiative. This program uses rail and bicycle networks to move passengers from the ship directly into the heart of Taipei.
Key cultural landmarks included in these itineraries are the Grand Hotel, the Lin An Tai Historical House, the Taipei Confucius Temple, Dalongdong Bao’an Temple, the Ching-Kuo Chi-Hai Cultural Park, and Martyrs’ Shrine. This strategy transforms the port from a mere transit point into a launchpad for high-value cultural experiences.
Infrastructure Upgrades to Support Volume
To prevent bottlenecks, Keelung is aggressively upgrading its facilities. During 2026, TIPC is doubling the number of immigration e-gates at the West Passenger Terminal, increasing the count from four to eight to expedite customs processing.
Additionally, the port is focusing on sustainability. A high-voltage shore-power system at East Wharf No. 4 is slated for completion in 2026. This technology allows ships to plug into the local electrical grid while berthed, eliminating the need to run diesel engines and reducing port-side emissions.
Why This Matters: The Impact on the Traveler
For the modern traveler, the evolution of Keelung Port means that Taipei is now significantly more accessible via sea. The shift from a "stopover" mentality to a "destination" mentality—evidenced by the fly-cruise growth and cycling tours—means visitors can now experience Northern Taiwan with far more flexibility.
From a logistical standpoint, the addition of e-gates and shore-power indicates a shift toward a "smart port" model. This reduces the friction of arrival, meaning passengers spend less time in queues and more time exploring the city. For the regional economy, the rapid growth of the South Korean and European markets suggests that Taipei is no longer just a regional hub for Japan, but a global destination capable of attracting diverse, high-spending demographics.
