MPT to develop cruise terminal

MPT to develop cruise terminal
TNN

PANAJI: Mormugao Port Trust is planning a world class cruise terminal to promote cruise tourism in Goa by attracting passenger ships and foreign
naval vessels to the state. “We are in the process of developing a large noncargo berth near the port’s breakwater to handle cruise traffic,” said MPT chairman Pravin Agarwal on Tuesday.

MPT also plans to attract navy ships from countries that opt for Goa as a destination for rest and recuperation. The 235-metre-wide and 450-metre-long berth will be built on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.

“We will go for a PPP model in order to make a world class cruise terminal after creating the basic infrastructure. But we are yet to finalize on this,” he said.

Incidentally in 2005 MPT had constructed a cruise terminal but due to lack of requisite facilities failed to attract such ships. In 2008-09, MPT received 52 cruise ships with just about 20,000 passengers alighting. “Goa is a popular place, but we don’t have adequate facilities.

Also when these ships come, we dock them next to berths 11 and 12, which are the coal handling berths. The coal dust renders the port a less attractive destination for cruise vessels. Once we have regular facilities then we will come on the tourist cruise map,” he said.

The Times of India, Goa edition,23 September 2009,