Heinemann Asia Pacific has opened two duty free retail stores with partner, Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC), at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal which serves the nearby Indonesian destinations of Bintan and Batam. The shops will trade under the name of Ocean Duty Free.

 

According to Kris Kang, Trade Marketing Manager at Heinemann Asia Pacific, the 28sq m departures store and 21sq m arrivals unit will serve approximately 1.75m passengers a year. The contract with SCC is for four years.

 

The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal was built in 1995 and underwent a S$3m ($2.4m) renovation in 2007 to improve the space and add services. Currently four berths serve regional ferries.

Heinemann Asia Pacific, which was established in Singapore in January 2010, says it will offer an international selection of perfumes, cosmetics, sun care, mosquito repellents, accessories and confectionery to appeal to both business and leisure travellers going to Bintan and Batam. The retail units have been designed with a rustic beach resort theme (see below).

 

“We are excited with the opening of Ocean Duty Free… our first collaboration with partner, Singapore Cruise Centre,” says Max Heinemann, CEO of Heinemann Asia Pacific (pictured left with Singapore Cruise Centre CEO Christina Siaw). He adds that the retail offer in place will “avail to holidaymakers, the convenience of duty free shopping before they head to their destinations”.

 

Heinemann Asia Pacific is a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of global travel retailer Gebr Heinemann with consolidated turnover of $3.1bn in 2012 and 5,500 staff worldwide. The company has 66 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 33 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.