Cruise season in full swing at Cochin:CPT plans world class terminal

Kochi, Mar 19 (UNI) Continuing the brisk arrival of foreign tourists here by luxury cruise vessels, the prestigious 'M V Seven Seas' Voyager arrived at Cochin Port this morning with more than 700 passengers on board.

A vessel from Cyprus, the Voyager, arrived from Yangoon and is to set sail for Goa after spending the day here. The vessel, with more than 440 crew on board, is on a 16-day voyage from Singapore to Dubai.

According to the Cochin Port Trust, 2005-06 witnessed brisk business in the cruise tourism sector, with 19 cruise vessels, with more than 10,000 high spending tourists visiting Cochin since April, 2005.

Some of the well known international cruise vessels which visited Cochin during this period included 'Pacific Princess', 'Super Star Libra', 'Oriana', 'Auroroa' and 'Nautica'.

Another luxury cruise vessel 'Elizabeth 2' is scheduled to call on March 27. Among some other cruise vessels expected to call at Cochin in the next two months include 'Maxim Gorky' and 'Amedea' (on April six), 'Delphine Renaissance' (April 17), Europa (May 2) and Crystal Symphony (May 11).

In view of Cochin's increasing popularity as a port of call by various cruise vessels, the Cochin Port Trust has decided to invite a global Expression of Interest (EoI) to appoint consultants to design a world class cruise terminal in the northern end of Willingdon Island. The consultant will prepare a feasibility report and business plan for the terminal.

According to CPT officials, the EoI is expected to be issued ''very shortly''.

Envisaged on a public private partnership model, the project will include the construction of a modern cruise jetty of about 200 metres quay length and a world class cruise terminal complex-cum-multipurpose public plaza, which will include facilities for entertainment, hospitality, culture and the arts, health, Ayurveda and spa products and 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.

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.

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