M Angamuthu, said that discussions with cruise operators have been positive, with a proposal already received to launch a service from Chennai to Visakhapatnam and further to Singapore. The port aims to facilitate both international and domestic cruise services, especially to Port Blair and other destination
javvadi lakshmana rao
n Visakhapatnam
The Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal (VICT), a cutting-edge facility developed by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), is set to inaugurate its cruise services by the end of March. Constructed at a cost of Rs 77 crore, the terminal, boasting a capacity to accommodate 2,000 passengers, has already garnered interest from various cruise liner operators. Half of the funding, amounting to Rs 38.50 crore, has been committed by the Ministry of Tourism, with the remaining costs being covered by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) through its internal accruals. The terminal, spanning 4,580.46 square metres across both the ground and first floors, offers state-of-the-art facilities, including lounges, customs and immigration services, quarantine counters, baggage handling facilities, scanning services, a concourse, a multi-cuisine cafeteria, entertainment options, shopping areas, health services, spaces for business exhibitions, money exchange outlets, comprehensive CCTV coverage, and ample parking facilities.
Chairman of VPA, M Angamuthu, said that discussions with cruise operators have been positive, with a proposal already received to launch a service from Chennai to Visakhapatnam and further to Singapore. The port aims to facilitate both international and domestic cruise services, especially to Port Blair and other destinations. “We are in contact with cruise operators, and some have expressed interest in initiating services. We anticipate cruise operations to commence within the next three months,” stated Angamuthu. The port anticipates a warm reception, driven by the significant potential to connect Visakhapatnam with Southeast Asian countries and destinations such as Colombo, attributed to the presence of Buddhist sites, scenic beaches, valleys, and historic structures in the region.
VPA plans to engage a private operator to oversee the terminal, utilising it for cruise services for a specified period and allocating the remainder for coastal shipping. Currently, the terminal is being used for the mooring of a passenger ship managed by the Shipping Corporation of India. Littoral Cruises Limited (LCL), a Chennai-based company, envisions substantial potential for cruise tourism to Visakhapatnam. LCL plans to introduce two vessels with the capacity to accommodate 800 and 1200 passengers, alongside two luxurious boats designed for 22 and 30 passengers, respectively. The proposed itineraries include routes such as Chennai-Trincomalee-Colombo-Male (Maldives) and Chennai-Visakhapatnam-Singapore.
The Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal (VICT), unveiled in September of the preceding year by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, serves as a crucial entry point for both domestic and international cruise tourism. With a 180-metre berth, four mooring dolphins, a 2,000-square-metre terminal, and ample parking space, the terminal is well-equipped to meet the escalating demand for cruise travel in the region.
