Red Sea crisis: Cruise vessels cancel docking at Kochi, causing severe loss

Kochi: The cruise vessel tourism that had taken a hit during the pandemic struggles to recover due to the Red Sea crisis. Despite being a favourite spot for cruise vessels, more than ten ships have cancelled their stop at Kochi, causing losses worth millions to the cruise tourism industry here. In the current financial year, 33 cruise vessels are scheduled to dock at Kochi. Of them, 19 are foreign vessels, and 14 are domestic cruises. Eight foreign vessels have already visited Kochi between April and September this year. However, some of the remaining cruises will likely cancel their visit to Kochi.

Red Sea crisis
Forty two cruise ships had visited Kochi in the last financial year, including 25 foreign vessels. Before the pandemic, on average, more than fifty cruise vessels docked at Kochi. Cruise tourism completely stopped during COVID-19 and has been showing signs of recovery lately. But, the Red Sea crisis caused by Houthi rebel attacks on the ships and tankers passing through the Red Sea between the Middle East and Africa has posed the latest threat. Ships must sail around Africa to reach India by avoiding the Red Sea. So, many cruise companies have dropped Kochi as the tourists won’t be able to visit a few preferred spots if they take this route.

Economic crisis
Wealthy cruise tourists reportedly spend up to 100 – 250 dollars in Kerala. From auto–taxi services and the handicrafts industry to resort tourism and restaurants, almost all sectors earn great income from cruise tourism. Besides, the Cochin Port Authority suffers severe financial loss when the number of cruise vessels docking here reduces. The port authority charges up to Rs 15 – 20 lakh as handling charges for each ship.