Visakhapatnam Cruise Terminal Set to Open in March

The Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), M Angamuthu, has announced that the international cruise terminal is set to start operations in March. As the VPA celebrates its 90th anniversary, discussions with cruise operators are ongoing to establish cruise itineraries, with the operational phase expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024. The port aims to introduce cruise routes from Vizag to Andaman Islands and Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, positioning Visakhapatnam on the global tourism map. Additionally, a race track originating from Chennai is in the planning stages.

Among the ongoing VPA projects, five are scheduled to be completed in March, with the port aiming to emerge as the best port in the country by adhering to norms and adopting good trade practices. Despite stiff competition, Vizag Port currently ranks third among India’s 12 largest ports in performance indicators and aims to establish itself as an equal benchmark with global ports. The VPA has handled around 60 million tonnes of cargo as of December 31, 2023, with the Visakha Container Terminal Private Limited emerging as a regional hub on the east coast of India, handling containers from Kolkata/Haldia, Paradip, Chittagong and Yangon.

As the international cruise terminal nears its operational phase, Visakhapatnam Port looks forward to enhancing its global appeal in tourism and trade. With new cruise routes and ongoing development projects, the port aims to strengthen its position as a key player in the global trade and tourism industries.

Source .