The Hindu Business Line : Proposal for international terminal

Kochi port, a popular port of call for cruise liners, has sought Tourism Ministry assistance for setting up an international cruise terminal. With such facilities as information kiosks, prepaid taxi counter, and shops selling handicrafts and curios, the terminal will according to port authorities, be a big forex earner, apart from boosting the State's economy.

The World, a cruise ship with over 100 designed apartments and amenities of a luxury resort on board, anchored last week at Kochi, a port popular with cruise liners. — K. K. Mustafah

THE Kochi Port has submitted a feasibility report for its proposed international cruise terminal to the Ministry of Tourism, seeking financial assistance under the scheme for Assistance of Large Revenue Generating Projects sponsored by the Ministry.

Under the scheme, the Ministry will extend financial assistance of Rs 10 crore, or 25 per cent of the cost of the project, whichever is less. The cruise terminal, to be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 46 crore, figures among the important constituents of the Integrated Development Plan of the port so as to help it to emerge as the major hub port in the Indian Ocean Region.

The project offers private entrepreneurs an excellent opportunity for participation. The creation of infrastructure, such as construction, dredging and marine facilities, would be the major component of the project cost, Dr Jacob Thomas, the port Chairman said. Since there are many players who have stake in the project, the most feasible route for the execution of the project would be joint-venture basis, he added.

"World over, cruise liners are collaborating with the ports for the construction and operation of cruise terminals. Similarly, at Kochi, we also intend to seek the participation of an international cruise liner which will be expected to contribute financially to the venture and be involved in the marketing and operation of the terminal" Dr Thomas said.

Taking a cue from the success of the public-private partnership model that was implemented for the Container Transhipment Terminal, the Chairman said that the port aims to apply the same formula for the cruise terminal. A project of such stature is best executed under the private-public route of investment. The development and operation of a cruise terminal of international status is not only a feasible and economically viable project but is also a significant edifice for Kerala's economic prosperity.

The Kochi port, he said, had always realised the tremendous foreign exchange earning capability through the promotion of cruise tourism. The port has undertaken a sustained effort to provide a hassle-free cruise experience to the cruise passengers and liners by putting in place an excellent inter-agency coordination to streamline the procedural formalities. This has led to the establishment of Kochi as a cruise-friendly port, as is acknowledged by most of the cruise liners, he said.

The financial feasibility of the project, he said, could not be compared with any other commercial project because the impact of arrival of tourists could be expressed in terms of its monetary surplus and profitability alone. It involved the setting up of infrastructure that would activate tourism-related business as well as the industrial development of the State, he added

The cruise terminal would be set up on the land to be reclaimed at the southern side of the Vallarpadam Island, on an area of about 5 hectares. It would be modern and of world-class standards, capable of hosting a minimum of 2,500 passengers at a time.

The berthing line is about 170 metres away from the shore and, hence, it is proposed to construct a jetty-type structure, 200 metres long and 15 metres wide, and two mooring dolphins on either side, with two approach bridges, each 10 metres wide, for land connection. The berth would be capable of receiving vessels 300 metres long and with a 32-metre beam.

In the terminal building, facilities such as information kiosks, prepaid taxi counter, stalls/shops selling handicrafts, curios, etc., would be set up. As the cruise season is mainly from November to May, the alternative use of the terminal for conducting conventions/conferences during the lean season has also been taken into consideration. During the off-season, the cruise terminal can double as a convention centre and a shopping mall. It would also be explored if it could house a multiplex as there is no multi-theatre cinema complex in Kerala.

Meanwhile, yet another cruise season has come to an end, at which time the port retains its position as the country's number one cruise port. This year, it received 19 calls, compared to 18 last year. The number of tourist arrivals registered a two-fold increase, from 8,862 during 2003-04, to 15,575 in 2004-05.

For the last five years, the port hosted the maximum number of cruise calls compared to any other Indian port, emerging as the most preferred cruise port. This year, most of the vessels calling the port had passengers taking the "cruise-fly-cruise" option, and flying either to Delhi or Agra. The continual improvement in the service standards and passenger facilities has made Kochi the most cruise-friendly port.

Passenger vessels such as Oriana, Royal Princess, AIDA Acara, and TSS Topaz brought in nearly 1,000 passengers on each call. Seven Sea Voyager made its maiden call to the port, while Royal Princess, TSS Topaz and Island Sky made repeat calls at the port. It is estimated that Rs 15-20 crore has flowed into the State's economy, at an average of $250 per passenger.

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