Kochi’s Port is going places. With the arrival of two major cruise liners choosing Cochin Port as their home and turn around port, the Cochin Port Trust authorities are looking to upgrading berthing and clearance facilities for passengers. This is like Deja Vu from my first article for Kochivibe…:)
With traffic like this not only the Port Trust is going to benefit but the general tourism will get a percentile boost and also the local businesses if passengers deem fit to explore the city and so on.
Cruise liner of the German company AIDA cruises has chosen Kochi as its turn around port and will reach here on the 28th of October, whereas cruise liners of the Cyprus based Louis Cruise Lines has made Kochi its home port. They will start operating from December 1st. Hope these are the first of the many that will start using our Port’s facilities. Just gives us an added incentive to be a part of Kochi.

AIDA Cruise will bring its guests from abroad to Kochi to board the cruise liner and they will fly back to their respective countries after the cruise ends right back here. Louis Cruise Lines has a more detailed plan concerning using the Cochin Port, their itinerary include trips from Kochi- Maldives-Kochi, Kochi-Colombo-Kochi and a one-night high sea sailing. It will be conducting three services a week for six months every year.

Since the two companies will be conducting frequent services, the port management has decided to upgrade certain facilities at the port till the proposed exclusive terminal for cruise vessels is completed. Once the construction is over, the traffic will be diverted to the terminal rather than the port. A permanent structure is also being constructed on the space developed near the BTP Berth for the India Stopover of the Volco Ocean Race last year, these are some of the few things that are on the table and oncoming for the Cochin Port.

A top official of the Cochin Port Trust has said that their plan is to utilize around 1600 sqm for baggage terminals,customs and immigration clearance counters and other passenger amenities such as waiting rooms and rest areas. The construction is already started and slated to be completed before the first ship arrives.

Bon voyage.