Cochin Port to invite Global EoI for cruise terminal

Kochi, Mar 18 (UNI) Cochin Port has decided to invite Global Expression of Interest to appoint Consultants for designing a world class cruise terminal in the northern end of Willingdon Island, the Cochin Port Trust said today.

The project, envisaged on a public private partnership model, will have two major components. While the first would be the construction of a modern cruise jetty of about 200 metres quay length, the second would be a world class cruise terminal complex-cum-multipurpose public plaza, the CPT said in a release here.

Cochin Port is planning to appoint a Consultant to conceretise the plan and prepare a feasibility report and business plan, it added.

In order to make the project financially viable, the port intended to develop part of the terminal complex as an accessible public destination, offering a range of facilities, including entertainment and recreation, hospitality, restaurants and dining, culture and arts, health, ayurveda, spa products, business conferencing and trade exhibitions.

Stating that it envisaged the building of a ''highly visible, iconic structure'', the CPT said the facility will showcase and promote Kerala's traditional culture and art forms, cuisine and its ethnic produce, that would not only attract foreign and domestic tourists, but also connect them to the local people.

Tailored to suit the unique character of the Willingdon Island, about 12 acres of prime land with water front for the berth had been earmarked for the development of the complex, the CPT said.

''It is expected that such a world class facility would attract more frequent calls by cruise ships at Cochin and also make calls for more number of days. Cochin Port's vision to establish such a cruise terminal is also intended to support Kerala's tourism industry,'' the release added.

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