New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) plans to handle 17 cruise vessels during the current financial year.

P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of NMPT, told Business Line that three cruise vessels called at New Mangalore Port in the beginning of the current financial year.

On Saturday, two more cruise vessels — m.v. Aida Diva and m.v. Clipper Odyssey — called at New Mangalore Port. This marked the beginning of cruise season at NMPT, he said.

With 1,810 cruise passengers and 617 crew members, the luxury cruise vessel m.v. Aida Diva made its third voyage to the port, he said.

Of the 1,810 passengers from Germany, 1,439 passengers opted for ground tour and enjoyed the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of Dakshina Kannada district, he said.

With 60 passengers and 70 crew members, m.v. Clipper Odyssey is also on its third voyage to the port.

“Last year, we handled 17 cruise vessels. The same number of vessels we will handle this year too. There may be some more passenger vessels also,” he said.

Passengers handled

Stating that the port had handled around 10,200 passengers during 2011-12, he said the the same number of passengers or more could be handled this financial year.

Tamilvanan said the team of Royal Caribbean International, one of the cruise operators, visited the port twice last year and had held discussions.

The team was impressed with the cruise lounge, the berth area, security arrangements, and emigration facility, among others, he said.

Duty-free shop

Recently, ITDC (India Tourism Development Corporation) commissioned its duty-free shop at the cruise terminal of the port, he added.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

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