'We have had a few foreign naval vessels coming in for rest, but when we dock them next to berths 11 and 12, the hulls of the vessels get blackened with the soot from coal handling at these berths,' he said.

The coal dust renders the port a less attractive destination for cruise vessels.

'Naval vessels come in groups, often with submarines and ships together for short rest stops for the crew, who spend a lot of money in the area they visit,' Agarwal said.

'Goa has not been able to cash in this avenue fully despite being such an attractive destination.'

He also did not rule out the possibility of offshore casinos near the port in future.