(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette) The Hambantota International Port (HIP), once branded as a 'white elephant' will have 13 cruise ship calls to the port between June and September this year.
Johnson Liu, CEO of the Hambantota International Port Group said that the port is positioning itself to several categories of cruise ships from luxury liners to all inclusive, budget and low budget carriers.
“We are positioning the port to several categories of cruise ships from luxury liners to all inclusive, budget and low budget carriers. With a 17 metre depth, HIP can accommodate any cruise liner in the world and as a new and modern port, we are well geared to handle the needs of ships, crew and passengers, immigration & emigration, customs and secure passenger services. We are well aware that there are more than 2000 cruise ship ports in the world, and Hambantota International Port, situated in the deep south of Sri Lanka is ideal to join this circuit, as a convenient port of call for ships plying the Indian ocean. We have a wide range of touristic offerings at a very short distance from the port's gate,” Johnson Liu said.
Cordelia Cruise Lines, which offers holiday packages to Indian and international travellers, kicked off cruise packages from Chennai, with the maiden call of ' Empress' at HIP. The ship carrying 745 passengers will cover 3 other major destinations on the island.
“In the past six months we have seen an increase in cruise ships calling at HIP and we expect to grow this service further. The nexus with Hayleys Advantis, agents for Cordelia Cruise Lines is yet another step in promoting Hambantota as an ideal cruise ship destination. While the port's location away from the busy metropolis, and its green environment, are added attractions, the port also has a duty free complex, with shops offering high quality imported products to ship passengers and crews,” the CEO added.
Hayleys Advantis offers tourists disembarking at the Hambantota International Port, a number of attractive excursions such as, walks through the Galle Dutch Fort, river cruises, hikes to the Diyaluma Waterfall and visits to a nearby turtle hatchery, and treks through Yala, Udawalawe, and Bundala national parks. Visits to the Akuressa Tea Factory, the Unawatuna Beach as well as shopping sprees are also included. Clarion Shipping, a subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis is the agent for the vessel.
The inaugural event at HIP was attended by Keith D. Bernard, Chairman SLPA, Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Cordelia Cruises, Ruwan Waidyaratne, Managing Director of Hayleys Advantis, Mrs. P.S.M. Charles, Governor of Northern Province, A.M.K.D Adikari, ADGC Sri Lanka Customs, Rear Admiral T.S.K. Perera, Southern Naval Commander, Snr DIG southern province, S.C. Medawatte, and Deputy Controller of Immigration, Jayantha Rathnayake. HIPG CEO Johnson Liu together with the senior management of Hambantota International Port also participated in the event. (Colombo Gazette)