(a) whether the Government is awarethat India is not considered as a preferreddestination by the global cruise liners/operators;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposesto develop modern cruise ports to attractglobal cruise liners and develop cruisetourism in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to betaken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a)&(b):India is fast emerging as a cruise tourist destination. In 2014-15 a total of 1,04,125 cruise passengers were handled at five major ports which increased to 1,25,838 during 2015-16 achieving a growth of 20.85% over the previous year. In 2016-17, up to January, major ports had handled 1,22,093 cruise passengers. In 2016-17, Costa Neo Classica cruise ship made Mumbai Port as home port for 7 voyages.
(c)&(d):To attract cruise lines/ships as a part of cruise tourism in India, the Government has developed cruise terminals at four major ports namely Mumbai Port, Mormugao Port, New Mangalore Port and Cochin Port. A new cruise terminal is under development at Chennai Port and is scheduled to be completed by 15.4.2017.
(e): The following steps have been taken by the Government to make Indian ports more attractive for cruise tourism:
(i) All major ports offer a minimum rebate of 30% across the board on all vessel related charges (port dues, pilotage and berth hire) from the notified scale of rates for cruise ships.
(ii) Major ports do not levy any priority/ousting/shifting charges for berthing the cruise vessel, provided the liner informs port 30 days in advance about the requirement of the berth.
(iii) To attract cruise liners to make major ports as homeports, the major ports provide rebate of 25% in vessel related charges for coastal cruise movement. This is in addition to the 40% existing rebate for coastal vessels. Further, walk-in berthing/preferential berthing is given to homeport cruise without any extra charge.
(iv) Foreign flag vessels carrying passengers had been allowed to call at Indian ports for a period of 10 years with effect from 6th February, 2009 without obtaining a license from Director General of Shipping. This has been further extended for a period of five years i.e. upto 5th February, 2024.
(v) For promoting cruise tourism, a Task Force has been constituted jointly by Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Tourism. The Task Force is responsible for drawing up strategies for promotion of cruise tourism including development of facilities and related infrastructure as well as facilitation.
(vi) Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cruise vessels and passengers have been implemented.
(vii) To address manpower, coordination and logistic issues for handling cruise vessels at ports, Port Level Committees with chairman of respective Major Ports Trust with Secretary Tourism of concerned state as Vice-Chairman and Regional Directors of respective regions as conveners have been Constituted.
(viii) Ministry of Tourism under its Scheme for Assistance to Central Agencies extends financial assistance to the Ports for development of cruise related tourism infrastructure.
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