Chennai: When Cochin port welcomes one of the biggest cruise liners ‘Ovation of the Seas’ operating for the Royal Caribbean International, in June, Tamil Nadu’s industrialists in the food processing and textile sectors will have something interesting to prove their prowess.
The industrialists, particularly those in the food processing industry, have expressed keenness to supply to cruise liners and other vessels calling at the Cochin port following the Cochin Port Trust’s decision to open up the sector for investment.
This will be a major opportunity for the Tamil Nadu food processing industries and the garment and cotton industry to step up their exports, say sources.
Already, those from the garment and cotton industry were said to have conveyed to the Cochin Port to set up stalls during the visit of premium cruise vessels at Cochin Port starting with the visit of ‘Ovation of the seas’ on June 1.
The vessel, MS Ovation of the Seas, is the third ship in the Quantum class, offering its guests a variety of activities, entertainment and dining options.
According to chairman in-charge of Cochin port G. Senthilvel the port has direct sailing to Europe, the Mediterranean and the far East in addition to the regular sailings to the Gulf and Colombo.
“Cochin provides a savings of 7 days in transit time and savings of $100 to $200 in overall supply chain cost for Europe Bound exports. The Walayar check post has now introduced a green channel for vehicle - sales tax - excise for EXIM cargo and this has resulted in quick clearance of both customs -excise sealed and self sealed containers at the check post,” he says.
Further, the special scheme launched by the Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor), to transport empty containers from Cochin Port to Irugur Inland Container Depot at Coimbatore for free, on every Thursday, would ensure the overall transportation cost much cheaper.
Cochin had received over 42 cruise ships last year and the new initiative is expected to make the TN industries to prosper.
