Vizag terminal getting ready to receive regular cruise liners
The terminal is designed to provide a seamless experience for up to 2,000 passengers with immigration and clearance counters
Cruise Terminal Meeting by Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) with APTDC officials
Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) after talks with AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is gearing up to launch regular cruise services from its state-of-the art cruise terminal developed here over a year ago.
Even as VPA held discussions on ways and means to promote the region as a tourism hub during its discussions with APMDC Vice-Chairman-cum-Managing Director Amrapali Kata recently, Cordelia Cruise ship has come forward to launch its operations from Visakhapatnam to Chennai and Pondicherry during August. During the pandemic, it had run its service from the city to Chennai and Puducherry after cancellation of its luxury cruise liner from Goa to Colombo due to political disturbances.
"We are in touch with several cruise liners and have redoubled our efforts to introduce regular cruise service to various destinations so as to make Visakhapatnam a cruise hub," VPA Chairperson Dr M Angamuthu, told Bizz Buzz.
VPA with its constant efforts gets the pleasure to facilitate Cordelia Cruise to operate three services connecting Puducherry, Chennai and Visakhapatnam during August commencing from 4th and concluding on 22nd August 2025 the agent of the vessel M/s GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd duly promoting cruise tourism.
"Revival of Cordelia cruise liner and plans to introduce regular service to Singapore, Colombo and other destinations will give a shot in the arm to the efforts to promote in-bound tourism," Tours and Travel Association of Andhra (TTAA) president K Vijay Mohan, said on Sunday.
To accommodate and enhance cruise operations, VPA has developed the International Cruise Terminal within its harbor. The terminal is designed to provide a seamless experience for up to 2,000 passengers, featuring immigration and clearance counters, ample parking, duty-free shops, food courts, and lounges. Conveniently connected to the city and nearby tourist attractions, the terminal ensures passengers can easily explore Visakhapatnam. Spanning a total built-up area of 3,530 sqm, the terminal includes a 2,750 sq.m ground floor for arrival and departure areas and a 780 sqm first floor. It features a 180-meter berth, enhanced by four mooring dolphins extending the length to 330 meters. The facility can handle large cruise ships with a Length Overall (LOA) of 300 meters, a beam of 37.6 meters, and a draft of 8.1 meters.
A landmark achievement for the terminal was the successful berthing of The World, a luxury cruise vessel comprising super-luxury condominiums on the high seas owned by several billionaires from the United States last year. The milestone highlights Visakhapatnam’s capability to handle large international liners and strengthens its position as a premier cruise destination.
