It has been reported that the Indian Ministry of Shipping has changed cruise vessel tariff rates in a bid to support domestic cruise tourism amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ministry allegedly said that the net effect of the changes would result in a port charge reduction of around 60% – 70%.
Cruise ships will now have to pay $0.085 per gross registered tonnage (grt) in port charges for the first 12 hours stay and $5 per passenger.
After more than 12 hours stay, cruise ships’ fixed charges will be the same as the berth hire charges that need to be paid according to the schedule of rates with a discount of 40% for cruise ships.
Furthermore, cruise ships that make one to 50 calls each year will receive a 10% rebate, cruise ships with 51 to 100 calls each year will get 20% rebate and cruise ships with more than 100 calls a year will receive 30% rebate.
The new tariffs will be valid for 12 months.
Indian Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya (pictured) reportedly said: “It will be big support for the cruise tourism in India, which has suffered tremendously due to the adverse economic impacts of Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will provide the opportunity to earn a huge amount of foreign exchange and generate sizeable direct and indirect onshore employment in the cruise tourism sector of India,” he said.
