KOCHI: The Union Shipping Ministry has identified five major ports in the country - Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, Kochi and Chennai - for infrastructure development with a purpose to promote cruise tourism in the country. According to the decision to enhance infrastructure facilities in these ports, they will have extended berths for parking of cruise vessels. “A decision has been made to enhance the infrastructure facilities in these five ports and to ensure better quality services there,” Shipping Secretary K Mohandas said. “The Consultative Committee of MPs attached to the Ministry of Shipping, which met the other day discussed this and decisions have been made accordingly,” he added. A Steering Committee, to be chaired by the Shipping Secretary, has also been formed for the purpose. The committee will have officials from the Ministry of Tourism in addition to representatives from the state industry. As part of promoting cruise tourism, quality tourist berths along with better facilities for customs checking will be set up at the five selected ports. The Ministry has also taken a decision to reduce charges for cruise vessels. “There were widespread complaints that the charges that we levy at some ports are higher, compared to the major ports in other countries,” Mohandas said. “We have taken notice of the situation and decisions have been made for charge reduction. However it should also be noticed that the respective ports don’t get much revenue from cruise tourism,” he pointed out. Cruise shipping not being a proper commercial activity, the ports don’t benefit from the revenue earned through this. However it’ll add to the country’s total economy and also help the local entrepreneurs.Speaking to Express the other day, Shipping Minister G K Vasan pointed out that the Centre would soon come up with initiatives to support the cruise tourism industry across the country.
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