VASCO
Mormugao Port Trust Deputy Chairman G P Rai on Wednesday stated that the port is ready to host cruise liners for an overnight stay, with all security measures to give further boost to cruise tourism in the State.
Rai was interacting with the master and officers of MV Mein Schiff 5, a luxury cruise liner carrying 2,457 tourists and 1,017 crew members docked at Mormugao port early Wednesday morning on its maiden visit to the State.
The cruise vessel arrived under the command of Master Thomas Roth and was docked safely at the port cruise terminal under the command of Capt Manoj Joshi Dy Conservator and Capt Shaji Ummer Harbour Master of Mormugao Port Trust.
MPT Deputy Chairman G P Rai, along with the senior port executives welcomed the master of the vessel and the officers and crew on its maiden visit to Mormugao on board the ship.
Interacting with the visiting master of the vessel, Rai said, “Mormugao Port is taking all out efforts to extend the best of infrastructure facilities to the cruise liners visiting Goa.”
“The Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is vigorously promoting cruise tourism at Indian ports and is assisting in creating necessary world-class infrastructure.”
“Our port is even in readiness to host cruise liners for an overnight stay at this port, with all security measures to give further boost to cruise tourism in the state,” Rai said.
MPT officials and Master Thomas Roth later exchanged commemorative plaques as a gesture of goodwill and friendship.
The Customs and Immigration and the CISF facilitated the smooth transition of the cruise vessel and guests on board. All the guests and crew were issued e-landing permits.
The visiting guests and crew later availed facilities provided by local tour operators to explore beaches and other tourists spots in Goa.
The guests were immediately taken for sight-seeing tours by travel agents.
The vessel will sail on its onward voyage to Muscat.
