Mormugao Port Trust is holding discussion with various cruise liners to call at the port as Goa is also a popular holiday destination.
The port is making attempt to develop cruise tourism as it would serve as an alternate source of revenue at a time when the iron ore cargo volume declined following the ban on mining.
The Supreme Court imposed ban on iron ore mining in the state following allegation of widespread irregularities.
This affected cargo volumes, which is learnt to have contracted 77 percent last year.
Following this, the shipping ministry instructed the government-controlled port to develop the port as a cruise terminal to tide over the crisis.
The ministry also wants the port to now look at handling alternate cargos such as pharmaceuticals, fertilisers and petroleum to boost revenues.
The port has asked all the top cruise companies to come to Mormugao. The port authority developed a designated cruise terminal and it is positive that the port will be able to attract cruises.
Mormugao Port has been unable to improve their handling of other cargo as a major portion of cargo rising from the hinterland has been unable to reach the port owing to in adequate infrastructure including road and rail network.
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