Terminals at major ports to attract cruise tourism

To promote cruise tourism in India, the government has developed terminals at four major ports -- Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore and Cochin -- and also allowed foreign vessels to call without licence from Director General of Shipping, Parliament was informed today.

Also, a new cruise terminal is under development at Chennai Port and scheduled to be completed by February 2017.

"To attract cruise lines/ships as a part of cruise tourism in India, the government has developed cruise terminals at four major ports namely Mumbai Port, Mormugao Port, New Mangalore Port and Cochin Port," Minister of Shipping Nitin Gadkari informed Lok Sabha in a written reply.
 

The Minister said a task force has been constituted jointly by Ministries of Shipping and Tourism for promoting cruise tourism besides a consultant has also been appointed for preparting action plan to identify domestic and international cruise circuits.

Gadkari said foreign flag vessels carrying passengers have been allowed to call at Indian ports till February 5, 2024 without obtaining licences from Director General of Shipping.

"To attract cruise liners to make major ports as homeports, the major ports provide rebate of 25 per cent in vessel related charges for coastal cruise movement. This will be in addition to the 40 per cent existing rebate for coastal vessels," Gadkari said.

Further, walk-in-berthing/preferential berthing is given to homeport cruise without any extra charge, he said.

Also, all major ports provide a minimum 30 per cent rebate across the board on all vessel related charges (port dues, pilotage and berth hire) from the notified scale of rates of cruise ships.