PORT BLAIR, India, 13 July 2020: India’s marine authorities will build a marina for visiting International yachts and superyachts cruising the Andaman Islands
Construction on the 50-yacht Marina at Port Blair Harbour a cruising destination in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be completed by December 2021.
It will be a key element to help the Islands recover from Covid-19 when vessels are allowed to resume sailing in the region.
With the situation slowly coming under control, the focus will return to reviving the cruise tourism and yachting. Various new projects and infrastructural developments across the islands are planned by the Port Management Board.
“A destination of choice and kick-off to amazing adventure cruising, currently international sailors and visiting yachts and superyachts are required to stay at anchorage due to the absence of a dedicated marina”, explained Asia Pacific Superyachts Andaman Islands head of operations, R. Rathnam.
“Now a 50-Yacht Marina is planned for the inner part of the Port Blair Harbour (Mithakhari) which will provide the required logistics and repair facilities for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands”.
Organisers of the annual ‘Sail the Andamans’ Yacht Carnival are enthusiastic about the new marina plans and confident more yachts will visit the Andamans once it opens.
The marina will include a passenger terminal with complete facilities to house about 1000 passengers with shops and a food court. The project has been approved by the Ministry of Shipping and expected to be ready by December 2021.
There is also a proposal for upgrading the existing Passenger Terminals at Haddo Wharf and Phoenix Bay to meet requirements for berthing of international yachts as well as inter-island cruise vessels and pleasure craft.
(Source: Asia Pacific Superyachts)
