SHENZHEN officially launched its international transfer service for cruise passengers at the Shekou Cruise Homeport on Saturday, becoming the first city in China to offer such a service. The newly opened International Passenger Transfer Area is set to significantly improve efficiency for international travelers, particularly those without visas, by cutting transit distances in half and reducing clearance time by 80%. Under the new policy, international passengers holding connecting tickets via the Shekou Cruise Homeport and staying in the transfer area for no more than 24 hours can apply for transit without a valid Chinese visa. Cruise operators are required to submit transit applications — including ferry details, passenger information, and luggage data — to customs, border control, and the Shekou Cruise Homeport Operations Command Center 24 hours before arrival. Upon docking, staff will guide transit passengers through boarding procedures. To expedite the process, the Shekou Border Checkpoint has introduced dedicated inspection lanes, adopting a “one-stop” clearance system that eliminates visa requirements, arrival card submissions, and fingerprinting. Passengers can proceed directly to the waiting area for their next voyage. On its opening day, the transit zone welcomed its first batch of 10 international passengers from a high-speed ferry operated between Hong Kong/Macao and Shenzhen before transferring to an international cruise. Dewi, a Dutch traveler, sharing his experience, said, “It only took 20 minutes to clear customs. I came from Macao by ferry, and without needing a visa, I just showed my passport and walked through.” Bernhard Schaefke, a German visitor, commenting on the efficiency, shared, “I often travel between Germany, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong for work. This fast-track service is incredibly convenient, saving me 30 to 60 minutes.” With the new transit zone, the Shekou Cruise Homeport aims to unlock greater route connectivity, allowing passengers to seamlessly transfer between global cruise lines. Airlines, cruise operators, and travel agencies are expected to develop tailored services for European, American, and Australian travelers transiting through Shenzhen to destinations like Southeast Asia and Japan. Industry estimates suggest that up to 1,200 passengers per voyage could benefit from the policy, with annual transit numbers projected to reach 100,000. Wang Xiaochen, general manager of the Shekou Cruise Homeport, stated that the initiative will attract more international cruise ships to dock in Shenzhen, reinforcing the city’s ambition to become a world-class maritime hub. (Tang Li) | 