In news: Recently, the Prime Minister addressed India’s first full-fledged international cruise terminal in Kerala
About Sagarika cruise terminal
- It has been inaugurated by the Prime Minister at Cochin
- Sagarika is India’s first full-fledged international cruise terminal, it has turned into a major cruise destination across the globe
- It is a dedicated terminal, that is fully air-conditioned and serving the cruise ship requirements, provides all statutory clearances, including Customs and Immigration, for cruise passengers.
- According to figures from the Cochin Port Trust, 44 cruise vessels called at the port during the financial year 2019-20, the numbers having remained near constant over the last decade during which the port and its facilities have turned popular among cruise vessels.
- The cruise vessel handling facility, which is now being enhanced by the inauguration of Sagarika, started initially more than a decade ago
- The Cochin Port Trust has catered to the requirements of major cruise operators in the industry and port sources said major operators had found the Kochi facility to their satisfaction.
- The cruisers calling at Kochi on a regular basis include Cunard Line, Royal Caribbean Line, AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises.
- The Union government has relaxed cabotage restrictions for cruise vessels so that it is possible to transport Indians from one port to another port in the country on foreign cruise vessels transiting through the country’s waters.
- The location of Kochi, close to the sites in Mattancherry and Fort Kochi that have a rich historic legacy, too has added strength to the importance of the port as a major cruise destination.
What is a cruise terminal?
- It is the type of facility available to accommodate cruise ship
- A passenger terminal is a structure in a port which services passengers boarding and leaving water vessels such as ferries, cruise ships and ocean liners.
- Depending on the types of vessels serviced by the terminal, it may be named ferry terminal, it may be named ferry terminal, cruise terminal, marine terminal or maritime passenger terminal.
Cochin Port Trust
- Cochin Port or Kochi Port is a major port on the Arabian Sea – Laccadive Sea – Indian Ocean sea-route in the city of Kochi and is one of the largest ports in India.
- It is also the first transshipment port in India.
- It is an all-weather natural harbour
- Sir Robert Bristow (13 December 1880 – 3 September 1966) was a British harbour engineer best known for his contributions to the development of the port of Kochi (Cochin) in India.
- The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), part of the Cochin Port, is the largest container transshipment facility in India.
- The port is governed by the Cochin Port Trust (CoPT), a government of India establishment. It was established in 1928 and has completed over 90 years of active service.
Source: PIB
