Bahrain's largest port will drastically reduce passenger fees for each cruise ship in a bid to lure back operators when the new season opens in November.

It will lose nearly BD70,000 this season after cutting back the passenger handling fee from BD3 per head to BD2 for the confirmed 33 liners docking at Khalifa Bin Salman Port.

APM Terminals, which operates the port, has announced the reduction that would add to incentives pulled together by authorities concerned to offset an increase in the cost of insuring vessels that dock here.

It follows efforts by the authorities to halve port fees for cruise ships to offset increased insurance charges for docking in Bahrain in the wake of the unrest, which meant that each cruise operator will have to pay an additional $ 300,000 (BD113,129) over the course of a season.

"We all have to contribute towards getting cruise liners back to Bahrain and we have decided to make this contribution," company chief executive Marco Neelsen told the GDN.

"We pride ourselves in being a key pillar within the local Bahraini economy and strive to offer efficient and cost-effective services in order to facilitate trade and avoid disruptions to supply chains."

Mr Neelsen said the 35 per cent fee reduction per passenger would mean they would forego around BD70,000 during the season.

"With 2,000 plus passengers per call, our contribution for the 33 calls could be around that much," he added.

"We would like to see many more such ships come calling and grow over the coming years.

"Our main driver towards this discount was to support the local economy and other players within it.

"The cruise passengers add value to many areas of the economy, whether taxi drivers, tour operators, shop keepers or even restaurants."

Incentives

Other incentives were also agreed on by the authorities to ensure a successful season, including discounts worth tens of thousands of dinars by tourism companies, while passenger charges could be waived by the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence, which could act as a "sponsor" for each visitor arriving on a cruise.

The organisation will also continue to waive crew charges and will look into the potential of waiving other charges.

In addition, shipping or port agents who handle cruise liners coming to Bahrain have pledged to slash their prices of up to BD700 by 25pc.

The GDN had reported that at least 33 stops by cruise ships had been confirmed at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port, including Aida and TUI, both leading German cruise line operators, which will dock every Wednesday and Friday until April.

Talks were also underway with other operators and Bahrain could host up to 60 port calls by cruise liners during the coming season.