International cruise liners back in India after two yrs led by Viking Mars

The six-month old ship operated by Switzerland-based cruise operator Viking will dock at Mumbai on Nov 13 enroute to Thailand. It is carrying 800 passengers

International cruise ships are returning to India after a span of two years, bringing cheer to shipping and tourism authorities.

Viking Mars will be the first to dock at Mumbai port on November 13 en route to Thailand. The six-month-old ship operated by Switzerland-based cruise operator Viking is carrying about 800 passengers.

In all, 28 cruise liners will transit Mumbai port between November and May. Many of these ships will also dock at Mormugao (Goa) and Cochin ports en route to their final destination.

“International cruise companies are optimistic about the Indian market. In fact, operators believe that the market is waiting to explode. We have already started seeing green shoots of recovery this season,” said Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh.

“Both passengers and operators will enjoy the experience and we can expect many more ships to visit India and also designate local ports as home ports in the near future,” he added.

Home ports are those where a cruise ship begins and ends its voyage and thus, these attract a majority of passengers.

During transit halts in India, passengers will be able to disembark for pre-booked onshore excursions. Various activities, such as offloading of waste, replenishment of stores/provisions, fresh water supplies, and crew change are carried out during the port visit, said shipping agent JM Baxi & Co.

“India has the opportunity to grow cruise tourism and attract international operators as China remains closed,” said Ratna Chadha, chairperson of TIRUN Travel Marketing, a representative of Royal Caribbean Cruises in India.

“Between 2016 and 2020, Costa Cruises had designated Mumbai as its home port with itineraries to Malé and Colombo. We are looking forward to Mumbai as a home port again,” said Nalini Gupta, managing director of Lotus Aero Enterprises, a general sales agent of Costa Cruises.

In 2019-20 (FY20), six Indian ports handled 149 foreign cruise ship movements with 226,329 passengers. The maximum number of foreign cruise ships were handled by Mumbai and Cochin ports — 44 each, followed by Mormugao (38), New Mangalore (21), and Chennai ports (2).

Domestic cruises saw faster growth with ports handling 302 ships and 241,250 passengers in FY20.

Tariff for cruise ships at Indian ports was rationalised in August 2020 to support the sector that was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.  These benefits have been extended until September this year. Port facilities, too, are being upgraded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a cruise terminal at Cochin port last February. While the cruise terminal in Cochin has handled domestic cruise liners until now, it will receive its first foreign ship later this month.

Cruise terminal in Visakhapatnam, which has been co-funded by the Union tourism ministry, is expected to be ready next April.

Mumbai port’s international cruise terminal will be commissioned by July 2024.

While efforts have been made to upgrade infrastructure and rationalise tariffs, industry experts say that the government also needs to relook at the taxation on cruise business. There is a perception that India is a cumbersome place to do business and that needs an overhaul, they point out.

“Steps are being taken by tourism and shipping ministries to improve facilities and policy regime,” assured Singh.

Anchors Aweigh

• The first international cruise liner will dock in Mumbai on November 13. Liner Viking Mars will carry 800 passengers
• In all, 28 foreign cruise vessels will dock in Mumbai. Many of these will also halt in Mormugao and Cochin ports
• In 2019-20, six Indian ports handled 149 foreign cruise vessels with 226,329 passengers
• New cruise terminal in Cochin port launched in 2021
• Terminal facilities also being developed in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam