Cruise Passenger Facilitation Centre

The Cruise Passenger Facilitation Center of Cochin Port Trust was inaugurated by Prof
K V Thomas, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food
and Public Distribution on 12 October 2012. Shri AP Anil Kumar Hon’ble Minister for Tourism,
Govt of Kerala, Shri Tony Chammany, Worshipful Mayor of Cochin, Shri Hibi Eden,Hon’ble
Member of Legislative Assembly, Shri Suman Billa, Secretary Tourism, Govt of Kerala, Shri
Paul Antony, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, Shri G Krishnakumar, Dy Chairman Cochin Port
Trust, Shri Cyril C George, Secretary, Cochin Port Trust and Dr C Unnikrishnan Nair, Traffic
Manager, Cochin Port Trust were also present.

Cochin as Cruise destination

Cochin Port has been a pioneer in promoting cruise tourism and has witnessed an
encouraging growth in the arrival of luxury cruise liners to its shore. The slew of cruise tourism
friendly business initiatives of Cochin Port has led to Cochin emerging as the most preferred
cruise destination in India. Cochin figures prominently in the cruise itinerary of all the major
cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International and their sister affiliates.

Last year Cochin hosted 44 luxury cruise ships and nearly 58,000 tourists. Prominent
among last year’s callers were Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2, Brilliance of the Seas,
Voyager of the Seas, Aida Aura, to name a few. Some of these had over 3000 guests onboard,
during a single call.
Cruise Passenger Facilitation Centre

Buoyed by this consistent increase in the cruise tourist arrivals, Cochin Port has created
a dedicated facilitation centre to cater to the comforts of the discerning cruise tourists. This full-
fledged modern cruise terminal facility built adjacent to the all weather BTP berth will cater to
the cruise ships calling at Cochin Port. The fully air-conditioned passenger facilitation centre
covers an area of 1500 sq.m and is equipped with

1. Dedicated Customs and Immigration counters

2. X-ray scanning machines for baggage and metal detectors
3. Luggage trolleys
4. Restrooms, prayer room, feeding room
5. Provision for setting up Duty free shop/cafeteria/ souvenir shops
6. Public Address system
7. Lighting with luminosity of 300 lux
8. 108 tons Air-conditioning system
9. Smoke detectors
10. Power supply with generator back-up
True to its concerns for the cruise tourists, the terminal has been built keeping in mind the
needs of physically challenged and aged guests. The facility also has an appurtenant area of
one acre of parking space for luxury coaches, tourist taxis and autorickshaws.
The facilitation centre would be put to great use during the passenger turnaround
operations by the cruise liners. The cruise ships of the luxury German Liner Aida Cruises have
been using Cochin for three turn around operations every year, since 2009. During the current
year, Aida Diva will have two passenger turnarounds involving 2000 inbound and outbound
passengers during each turnaround operation. With a dedicated terminal in place, Cochin Port
would now reach out to other liners to make use of this truly world class facility.
Mini Convention Centre

This facility would also be available for use as a Convention / Exhibition Hall during the
off-season. Facilities mentioned at Sl No 1 to 3 above can be easily dismantled and removed so
that 20x75 mtrs hall would be available for organizing conferences, exhibitions etc. The
backwater frontage and availability of ample parking space are added attractions for organizing
such events.

Cruise Vessels expected during the coming days

In the current year about 50 calls for day visits have been confirmed. This year Cochin
will also play host to Mariner of the Seas, Celebrity Solistice, Costa Atlantica and Azamara
Journey – four of the large cruise liners on their maiden call to Cochin. Each of these ships with
an average length of 300m will carry onboard 3000 guests.

The Facility was constructed with the financial aid of Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India
(Rs. 4.915 crores) and Department of Tourism, Govt of Kerala (Rs.1.32 crores).