Lok Sabha Question No. 114 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Development of Cruise Terminals
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.114 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 th  FEBRUARY, 2017 DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE TERMINALS

## *114. SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

## पोतप�रवहनमंत्

- (a) the details and the present status of development of cruise ports/terminals in the country to attract international cruise liners/ships as part of cruise tourism, port/ terminal-wise;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to make Indian ports more attractive for cruise tourism, port-wise; and
- (c) the time frame set for completion of these developmental projects, port-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI NITIN GADKARI)

(a)to(c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  114  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON    9 TH FEBRUARY  2017  RAISED  BY  SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE TERMINALS

(a)&(c):  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 February, 2017.

(b)The following steps have been taken by the Government to make Indian ports more attractive for cruise tourism.

- (i) 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.
- (ii) Standardized  Operating  Procedures  (SOPs)  for  cruise  vessels  have  been  formulated  by involving  the  concerned  stakeholders  namely  Bureau  of  Immigration  (BoI),  M/o  Home Affairs,  Central  Board  of  Excise  &  Customs  (BEC),  Central  Industrial  Security  Force (CISF) and Port Authorities.
- (iii) To address manpower, coordination and logistic issues for handling cruise vessels at major 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.
- (iv) A Consultant has been appointed for preparation of Action Plan and detailed Road Map for  Development  of  Cruise  Tourism  in  India  including  identification  of  domestic  and international cruise circuits vis-à-vis India and development of necessary infrastructure.
- (v) Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  Scheme  for  Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  extends financial assistance to the Ports for development of cruise related tourism infrastructure.
- (vi) Foreign flag vessels carrying passengers have been allowed to call at Indian ports for a period of 10 years with effect from 6 th 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.
- (vii) 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 will be 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.
- (viii) 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.
- (ix) All major ports to 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.

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