Nefertiti , the Egyptian-themed luxury vessel of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), will be launched here in October end, charting a new course in cruise tourism in Kerala.
This was announced here on Sunday by KSINC Managing Director A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish on board the vessel, on the sidelines of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM - 2018).
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to inaugurate the ₹16.42-crore vessel, which is equipped with 3D theatre, air-conditioned hall, sun deck, banquet hall, bar lounge, and recreational space. It can carry 200 passengers up to 20 nautical miles (approximately 36 km).
Explaining its salient features, Mr. Hanish said the cruise vessel built in a Goa yard has a speed of 9 knots (16 km per hour).
It will be berthed at the Customs Jetty in Willingdon Island.
The ship is named after the beautiful Egyptian queen Nefertiti. Parties and official conferences can be hosted on board.
KSINC’s vessel Cleopatra may operate on the Vaikom-Ernakulam route or will be based in Beypore. It has also placed orders with a Sri Lankan yard for a ₹4-crore solar-powered vessel which will be introduced in Kozhikode in August 2019. It has floated tender for a ₹60-crore vessel.
