Odisha to sign MoU for cruise terminal development in Puri during India Maritime Week

Kendrapada: The state will sign an MoU for the development of a cruise terminal in Puri during the India Maritime Week (IMW) in Mumbai from Oct 27 to 31, officials said. “The first phase will focus on Puri, with the second phase extending the cruise terminal to Paradip within the next two to three years,” said chairman of Paradip Port Authority (PPA), P L Haranadh, on Tuesday.Paradip port will have a prominent presence at the IMW, signing memoranda of understanding worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore across sectors, including shipbuilding, ship repair, port modernisation, smart port initiatives, business development, and green hydrogen projects. “Recently, Paradip port was notified as a green hydrogen hub, becoming one of only three ports in India to receive the distinction, alongside Tuticorin and Kandla,” added Haranadh.“Odisha govt will also participate in IMW, with a dedicated session on the state’s maritime development. Odisha has already signed MoUs with PPA for strategic projects, including the Bahuda port development and a shipbuilding centre in Kendrapada district, expected to generate significant employment and economic growth,” he said.“The event, organised by the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, will bring together over 100 maritime nations, 200 international experts, and 500 leading maritime industries, making it a premier platform for knowledge sharing, investment opportunities, and technology exchange in the maritime sector,” he added.To create public awareness about the event, Paradip port has launched initiatives, including sand art at the beach, along with advertisements, hoardings, podcasts and social media campaigns, timed with Diwali.