The Cordelia Cruise ship will operate three services connecting Puducherry, Chennai and Visakhapatnam commencing on August 4 and concluding on August 22, through the agent of the vessel M/s. GAC Shipping (India) Pvt. Ltd. for promoting cruise tourism.

Visakhapatnam Port Authority(VPA) has developed a state-of-the-art International cruise terminal within its harbour. 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 that passengers can easily explore Visakhapatnam.

Spanning a total built-up area of 3,530 sq.m, the terminal includes a 2,750 sq.m ground floor for arrival and departure areas and a 780 sq.m first floor. It features a 180-m berth, enhanced by four mooring dolphins extending the length to 330 metres. The facility can handle large cruise ships with a Length Overall (LOA) of 300 metres, a beam of 37.6 metres, and a draft of 8.1 metres, according to a statement issued by VPA on Saturday.

A landmark achievement for the terminal was the successful berthing of ‘The World’, a luxury cruise vessel. This milestone highlights Visakhapatnam’s capability to handle large international liners and strengthens its position as a premier cruise destination.

VPA continues to collaborate with the State government and local authorities to develop regional tourism. In a recent meeting chaired by Ms. Amrapali Kata, Managing Director of APTDC, the VPA briefed tourism operators and PSUs on the advanced facilities available at the Vizag International Cruise Terminal, emphasising its economic benefits to the region.

VPA remains committed to enhancing infrastructure and supporting initiatives that bolster tourism and economic growth, according to T. Venu Gopal, Secretary, VPA.