The Hindu Business Line : Advisor for cruise terminal project: Kochi Port gets 17 EoIs

AS many as 17 firms of international repute have responded to the expression of interests floated by the Kochi Port for the consultancy service to set up the cruise terminal of international standards in the port.

The foreign firms that participated in the EoI included Dubai Cruise Terminal, British Maritime Technology and Hill Associates. Mr A. Janardhana Rao, the port's Deputy Chairman, told Business Line that a bidder meet would be called soon to obtain a first-hand idea of the project perception. The port is also soliciting leading cruise liners in the region to associate with it in promotion of cruise tourism through the port. The estimated cost for setting up a passenger terminal would be in the range of Rs 55 crore - Rs 60 crore, he said.

Although the project would be funded through financial assistance from the Tourism Ministry, Kerala Tourism Department and private equity through the Shipping Ministry, the port is also getting financial assistance from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), Mr Rao said.

Considering that the cruise traffic to the port has been on the rise and also to cash in on the growing international tourist influx to Kerala, the Deputy Chairman said that the port intends to improve its services and develop infrastructure It is felt that there is enough potential at Kochi to not only cater to cruise passengers but also to act as a crew changeover port. The arrival of passenger vessels to the port had also increased considerably in the recent period.