Carnival Corporation has started construction work on what it claims is the industry’s first dedicated cruise terminal in Japan.

The move follows an agreement signed in 2018 by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Carnival.

Located at the port of Sasebo, the terminal is due to open in summer 2020. Under the 20-year agreement Carnival Corporation and its cruise line brands will be granted berthing preference.

Japan is a popular destination for seven of Carnival’s cruise line brands, including AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.

Carnival is expecting nearly 800 ports calls, on 15 ships, across 50 ports in Japan in 2019.

Costa Group and Carnival Asia group CEO Michael Thamm said: “As the cruise industry’s first terminal in Japan, this groundbreaking is a historic day for all of us at Carnival Corporation and for our partners in this exciting project.

“This new terminal will complement our strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region and furthers our commitment to help facilitate the rising demand for cruise vacations in the region, enabling even more people from around the world to discover why Japan is such an extraordinary destination, one that many of our guests have long enjoyed.

“And as our company’s first cruise terminal investment in Japan, we are excited to mark the start of our long-term relationship. We are actively working on future investment opportunities to help further support growth and expand the Japanese cruise industry for years to come.”

Carnival also recently announced an agreement with the Bahamian government for two major port developments in the Bahamas.