Kerala - Kochi   

City set to get country’s first cruise terminal

KOCHI: Kochi is set to be the first among the four ports in India to build a cruise terminal through public-private partnership (PPP).

The port city is closest to the international shipping route that passes through the Indian Ocean than any other Indian port. Despite Kochi not having a full-fledged terminal to berth cruise ships, the city was able to attract 42 cruise vessels in the cruise season extending from October 2007 to May 2008.

The other three ports where a terminal has been planned are Mumbai, Goa and Chennai. “As of now, 46 cruise ships have confirmed their Kochi visit during the coming season. Their number would definitely increase as weeks pass by, because Kochi has found her place in the tour map of prominent cruise-ship operators,” said a senior official of the Cochin Port Trust.

The city has played host to massive cruise ships like Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth, which brought in hundreds of high-spending tourists to the State’s shores.

In the absence of a proper cruise terminal, these ships are at present berthed on wharfs used by cargo ships. Because of this a good share of these ships, considered to be the ultimate in luxury, call at Kochi early in the morning and leave by evening. The port has already been offering reduction in berthing charges of cruise vessels.

Under the PPP model, the port will offer the land for setting up the project, while the private partner would have to ready the terminal and other amenities.

There is some delay in kick-starting the project because port rules insist that land can be given on lease for only 30 years, whereas private players are seeking lease for a longer term. The terminal and village have been planned on the northern end of the Ernakulam Wharf.

“Matters have to be worked out and we are considering the development of the cruise terminal in two phases. The berthing facility is the first component. Alongside a star hotel, a replica of a Kerala village, full with ethnic food and an arena to showcase the State’s exquisite art and dance forms will be built,” a port official said.

It is not enough that the port ready the terminal and other amenities. They cannot remain in isolation. The State government and civic agencies too must do their part. No tourist will want to venture into the city or the Fort Kochi heritage zone if civic agencies do not ensure good roads, pavements and the cleanliness of the locales, he said.

“The Corporation of Cochin is at sea on how to handle the garbage, despite huge amounts being spent on setting up a treatment plant. As for the demand to provide fuel to the ships at international rates, the State government has to take a decision on the tax structure for fuel.”

Over the years, the Port has taken care to avoid delays in immigration procedures so that the tourists can alight from their vessel without delay.

In one instance, an immigration official boarded the ship from Singapore so that by the time it reached Kochi, the procedures got over. With cruise tourism showing a clear growth during the past few years, the Central government is likely to offer incentives to promote ports with cruise terminals.

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