Kochi: The Union government will provide all possible help for the Cochin Port to develop its cruise tourism potential, including supporting the new cruise terminal project planned at Ernakulam Wharf, Union minister of state for shipping and road transport Pon. Radhakrishnan has said. Addressing a review meeting of the port on Friday, the minister said the port has high potential to emerge as a hub of domestic cruise tourism.
“There are new opportunities for Cochin Port with prospective cruise liners showing interest in the circuit, Colombo-Cochin-Male-Colombo, and circuits connecting Mumbai and Male, calling Cochin en route,” he said. The terminal aims at accommodating cruise vessels in the most professional manner comparable to international standards.
Inaugurating the new building of the office-cum-academic complex of the Kochi campus of the Indian Maritime University (IMU), Mr. Radhakrishnan said the domestic maritime industry is poised for major growth as the government has initiated steps to double the capacity of ports in the country and increase cargo movement through inland waterways by four times in the next five years.
