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India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Cruise Bharat Mission: India To Launch 51 River Cruise Circuits By 2027
New Delhi: The government on Monday said it plans to develop 51 new river cruise circuits on 47 national waterways across 14 states and three union territories (UTs) by 2027. With the launch of the Cruise Bharat Mission, the government aims to increase river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The mission focuses on upgrading cruise terminals, ports, and related infrastructure, promoting eco-friendly tourism practices using green vessels, and creating numerous employment opportunities in the cruise industry in the coming two years. The river cruise tourism sector in India has witnessed notable growth, with the number of river cruise voyages on National Waterways increasing from 371 in 2023-24 to 443 in 2024-25. This 19.4 per cent growth underscores the rising appeal and operational efficiency of river cruises in India's inland waterways. Cruise Tourism on National Waterways Gains Momentum with Infrastructure Boost National Waterways rise by 19.4% in 2024–25; 51 new cruise circuits planned across 14 states and 3 UTs by 2027 under Cruise Bharat Mission Read here: — PIB India (@PIB_India) July 21, 2025 Adding to this momentum, Viking Cruises has announced its entry into India's river cruise market with Viking Brahmaputra, an 80-guest vessel scheduled to begin operations in late 2027, signalling heightened interest and investment in India's river cruise tourism sector. Viking Brahmaputra, to be indigenously developed by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kolkata, will operate on National Waterway-2. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and guidance of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is making strides in promoting river cruise tourism and developing sustainable water transport system in India. The sector has witnessed exceptional growth over the last 11 years. From just five vessels on three waterways in 2013–14, river cruise operations have expanded to 25 vessels across 13 national waterways in 2024–25. IWAI has recently signed agreements with several state governments to promote cruise tourism on National Waterways, including partnerships with the governments of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh for cruise tourism on River Narmada, with the Delhi government for operating ferries and cruises on the Yamuna River, and with the government of Jammu and Kashmir for sustainable tourism on the Jhelum, Ravi, and Chenab rivers. Besides, IWAI is developing dedicated cruise terminals on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, with three cruise terminals planned in Varanasi, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Patna. In the northeast, four more cruise terminals at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are proposed to be developed by 2027.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
51 new cruise circuits planned across 14 states and 3 UTs by 2027: Centre
New Delhi: The government on Monday said it plans to develop 51 new river cruise circuits on 47 national waterways across 14 states and three union territories (UTs) by 2027. With the launch of the Cruise Bharat Mission, the government aims to increase river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The mission focuses on upgrading cruise terminals, ports, and related infrastructure, promoting eco-friendly tourism practices using green vessels, and creating numerous employment opportunities in the cruise industry in the coming two years. The river cruise tourism sector in India has witnessed notable growth, with the number of river cruise voyages on National Waterways increasing from 371 in 2023-24 to 443 in 2024-25. This 19.4 per cent growth underscores the rising appeal and operational efficiency of river cruises in India's inland waterways. Adding to this momentum, Viking Cruises has announced its entry into India's river cruise market with Viking Brahmaputra, an 80-guest vessel scheduled to begin operations in late 2027, signalling heightened interest and investment in India's river cruise tourism sector. Viking Brahmaputra, to be indigenously developed by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kolkata, will operate on National Waterway-2. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and guidance of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is making strides in promoting river cruise tourism and developing sustainable water transport system in India. The sector has witnessed exceptional growth over the last 11 years. From just five vessels on three waterways in 2013–14, river cruise operations have expanded to 25 vessels across 13 national waterways in 2024–25. IWAI has recently signed agreements with several state governments to promote cruise tourism on National Waterways, including partnerships with the governments of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh for cruise tourism on River Narmada, with the Delhi government for operating ferries and cruises on the Yamuna River, and with the government of Jammu and Kashmir for sustainable tourism on the Jhelum, Ravi, and Chenab rivers. Besides, IWAI is developing dedicated cruise terminals on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, with three cruise terminals planned in Varanasi, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Patna. In the northeast, four more cruise terminals at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are proposed to be developed by 2027.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India highlights maritime safety and gender inclusivity at the 134th Session of IMO Council
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): The Indian delegation, led by TK Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, is participating in the 134th session of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London. On the opening day of the session, India delivered a strong and principled statement addressing recent maritime incidents involving foreign-flagged container vessels operating in Indian waters. These incidents, caused by undeclared hazardous cargoes and structural and stability issues, have raised serious safety concerns. India urged the IMO to undertake a comprehensive investigation and global review of all such incidents involving container ships. Citing the proactive role of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard in ensuring the safety of life at sea, India called for urgent enhancements in the safety framework for container shipping. The Indian statement underscored the need to reinforce international protocols related to packaging, declaration, stowage, and monitoring of lithium-ion batteries and IMDG cargo. India proposed the establishment of IMO-led investigations into such incidents to help build global best practices, improve standardisation, and strengthen operational norms that ensure the safety and security of container ship operations across the world. During the deliberations, India also actively participated in the agenda on gender equality, aligning with the IMO's Gender Inclusion Strategy. The Indian delegation highlighted the national initiative Sagar Mein Samman (Honour at Sea), launched on 25 November 2024 by the Directorate General of Shipping. This landmark programme aims to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive maritime ecosystem, empowering women from seafaring to leadership roles, in alignment with India's Vision@2047 and IMO's strategic objectives. India proudly shared the remarkable achievement of a 650% increase in the number of Indian women seafarers, showcasing the country's commitment to creating equal opportunities in the maritime sector. The Indian delegation reaffirmed its continued support for IMO's efforts towards maritime safety, environmental protection, and inclusive development of the global maritime community. (ANI)
New Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Minister flags off cruise tourism ship at Visakhapatnam International Terminal
VISAKHAPATNAM: The luxury cruise liner MV Empress set sail from the Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal on Wednesday, signalling a major milestone in the city's emergence as a hub for cruise tourism. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off the vessel, stating that Visakhapatnam is poised to become a key player in boosting tourism and maritime economic activity. Minister of State for Ministry of Ports Shantanu Thakur reaffirmed the Centre's support for enhancing cruise tourism across Indian ports. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in a message, assured the State's full backing for cruise development. State Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said new tourist circuits are under development and more cruise calls are anticipated at the port.
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Repurpose LNG infra to make ports GH2 export hubs, say ports body
Report calls for establishing common user infrastructure for quickly setting up green hydrogen facilities Dhruvaksh Saha Subhayan Chakraborty New Delhi Listen to This Article Indian ports would need to take up extensive reforms like repurposing existing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals for green hydrogen (GH2) derivatives such as green ammonia, and setting up common user infrastructure frameworks to become export hub for GH2, a report by the Indian Ports Association (IPA) has suggested. IPA is a body of major ports in India under the control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. While developing hydrogen pipelines is essential, high costs — 70-80 per cent from materials, labour, and construction — and challenges like securing rights of way make repurposing underutilised pipelines appealing, the
