Abercrombie & Kent Destination Management

Goa (Marmagao) is primarily an industrial port with iron ore the main product being exported. Vehicles are allowed up to the berth/pier. There is no berth/pier exclusively for cruise ships. The port authorities usually allot either berth 8 or 10 for cruise vessels, 10 is preferred.

Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) is a natural harbour and mainly a commercial port although it does provide docking for cruise vessels. There are three wharfs: Ernakulam, Mattancherry and BTP.

Chennai port is an artificial port mainly used as a commercial port for handling containers. A few cruise ships also make calls at this port, although there is no separate berth for cruise lines and also no passenger terminal.

Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is a natural harbour with three enclosed wet docks. The harbour has played an important role in trade and commerce in southern India ever since the British first established factories in Mumbai. The Ballard Pier Extension, located on the east arm of Indira Docks, is 244 metres long and has a modern passenger terminal building. This pier is also used for container vessels. Ballard Pier Station caters mainly to container vessels and, at times, small passenger ships.

Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India. A penal colony was established here in 1789. Today Port Blair is both a passenger and cargo port, with a passenger terminal for the ferries that arrive and depart from this port to the Indian mainland every week. Preference is given to cruise and passenger ships which berth. The distance from the gangway to the pier terminal building is short and coaches can be parked outside the terminal.