Goa to build global cruise terminal

GOA: Goa is to soon set up an International Cruise Terminal at Aguada beach in north Goa. The terminal to be built by UK based firm Ocean Cruise (which operates cruise liner Star Cruise) will also have a marina to dock small boats and yacht cruising along the western coast.

“Many cruise liners such as Star Cruise have expressed their interest to come to Goa, but we do not have a terminal to dock up such cruises,” said chief secretary JB Singh adding that a terminal would generate large revenue to the state apart from brining in many up-segment “high spending” tourist to Goa.

The terminal is likely to be a ‘mini township’ with hotels and bazaars in place and is likely to be ready within the next two years. With this, Goa expects to grow as a hub for travellers to dock whilst on the way to Singapore, Malaysia and Lakshadweep besides other tourist locales.

At present Goa has eleven yachts parked at the Panjim Port till September end.Ocean Cruise is to build the terminal on a BOT basis and was short listed amongst three companies that applied to state government’s global tender floated last year. An environment impact assessment study has already been undertaken by Ocean Cruise in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography. The government is now awaiting a business plan to check feasibility of the project.