India's Vizag Port encourages cruise lines to visit terminal

The new facility at Visakhapatnam (Vizag) was inaugurated September 4. The site area spans 12,660 sq m, and the built up space measures 3,530 sq m, with capacity for 2,000 passengers and parking for seven buses, 70 cars and 40 two-wheelers. 

The ground floor area for arrivals and departures is 2,750 sq m and has seating for 300 passengers, while the first floor measures 780 sq m. 

It will be operated by a professional service provider with India’s tourism department taking a lead role in the entire gamut of services being offered. 

Cruise lines are welcomed by the port management to tour the building.

Entertainment areas

The terminal is equipped with a gangway, spacious lounge, customs and immigration office, quarantine counters, baggage handling, scanning apparatus and a concourse. 

The facility also has CCTV, Wi-Fi, an entertainment arena and restaurant, mall, currency exchange outlets, health and business facilities. 

The berth, with a 8.1 mtr draught, can accommodate vessels maximum 300 mtr in length with a beam of up to 37.6 mtr. There are four dolphins, two on each side of the berth. 

Cruising in Vizag

The port city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, on the Bay of Bengal, is known for its beaches, including Ramakrishna Beach – home to a preserved submarine. Nearby is the Kali Temple and the Visakha Museum, an old Dutch bungalow housing local maritime and historical exhibits. 

Between April 2018 and January 2019, Vizag received three calls by Cordelia Cruises, sailing Visakhapatnam, Puducherry and Chennai. Approximately 219 passengers embarked and 2,019 passengers disembarked. 

In 2022, Vizag handled 15 calls by Cordelia, with approximately 8,645 passengers embarking and 13,814 passengers disembarking.