Decks cleared for world-class cruise terminal at Kochi

The Cochin Port has decided to invite global expressions of Interest to appoint consultants for designing a world-class cruise terminal in the northern end of Willingdon Island.

The port trust plans to develop the project as a multi- faceted tourism, entertainment and shopping destination of Kochi on public-private participation (PPP) basis. The ministry of shipping has given the go-ahead nod for the project after minister for shipping T R Balu had given an in-principle sanction during his visit last month.

The port has plans to construct a modern cruise jetty of about 200 metres quay length, in continuation of the existing 917-metre long Ernakulam wharf as the number of cruise vessels to call at Kochi is on the increase.

The average number of luxury liners visiting the port annually is 20. But according to experts, an exclusive cruise terminal would not be viable if the number doubles. Hence port trust has decided to have a world-class cruise terminal complex - cum - multi purpose public plaza along the Ernakulam wharf.

Sources at the Kochi Port told Business Standard that as container traffic will be fully transferred to Vallarpadam international container terminal by 2009 the wharf and the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT) could be fully utilised for the cruise terminal-cum - public plaza.

In order to make the project financially viable, the port intends to develop the terminal complex as a public destination offering a range of facilities like entertainment & recreation, restaurants and dining including food courts, shopping including general & specialty malls, cultural and arts complexes, theatres, health/ayurveda/spa products and facilities for business conferencing and trade exhibitions.

The proposed facility, designed to suit the unique character of Willingdon Island, will showcase and promote Kerala's traditional culture and art forms, cuisine and its ethnic products to attract foreign and domestic tourists. About 12 acres of prime land with water front for the berth has already been earmarked for development of the complex.

Cochin Port is planning to appoint a consultant to concretise the plan and prepare a feasibility report and business plan for the creation of an extraordinary public facility, which would be unique in India.

Such facilities are expected to encourage cruise ships to make calls for more number of days. Now ships spend only one day in and around Kochi due lack of facilities at the port.

The Marina project planned to develop at Bolgatty Island near Kochi Port will make Kochi as one of the most important water related tourism locations in South Asia. The project will be developed as joint venture project of the Kerala government and a Malaysian company.