“Our vision is to reach 5 million passengers by 2047” – Vikas Narwal, MD, IPA
As concerns grow over the uncertain trajectory of India’s cruise tourism industry, public and private stakeholders are joining forces to chart a course toward its global prominence. With a shared vision of establishing India as a premier cruise hub, industry leaders and policymakers are actively exploring solutions to overcome existing challenges.
Addressing the government’s role in this transformation, Vikas Narwal, Managing Director of the Indian Ports Association (IPA), set the stage with a keynote address at SATTE 2025, paving the way for the panel discussion – Anchoring Opportunities.
He highlighted that India is blessed with a 7,500 km-long scenic coastline, yet much of it remains an uncharted territory for cruise tourism. “This will be India’s next economic frontier; the cruise industry is set to add vibrant colours to Indian waters. We envision cruise ships sailing across the entire Indian coastline,” Narwal expressed.
“Currently, India attracts approximately 5 lakh cruise passengers annually, whereas Singapore, with just a 200 km-long coastline, welcomes 1.8 million tourists. The opportunity is immense, and we dare to enter it with full commitment. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has launched the ambitious Cruise Bharat Mission. This initiative is more than just a boost for tourism, it is a celebration of India’s maritime heritage and a reclamation of its historical identity.”
He outlined the ambitious yet essential goals of the mission, which aims to attract 1 million cruise passengers by 2029. “The next four to five years are crucial for India’s cruise sector, and our vision is to reach 5 million passengers by 2047, establishing India as a regional hub for the global cruise industry,” Narwal stated.
This growth is expected to boost the economic vitality of coastal communities, create employment opportunities for lakhs of people, and position India at its rightful place in the global maritime tourism.
To achieve this goal, Narwal outlined a three-wave strategy, beginning with infrastructure transformation. “We are making significant investments. In Mumbai, we have invested over ₹500 crore in the cruise terminal, more than ₹150 crore in Goa, over ₹100 crore in Visakhapatnam, and more than ₹50 crore in Chennai. In Kochi, we are also planning a world-class cruise terminal. These developments will position India on par with the best cruise terminal facilities globally,” he explained. He emphasized a holistic approach, ensuring that beyond shipping activities, the ecosystem will also support allied services associated with cruise tourism.
The second wave focuses on a Regulatory Revolution. “We have received several feedback about our congested regulatory framework, particularly concerning immigration, customs, and port clearance,” Narwal shared. “I am pleased to announce that the Immigration Bureau is making significant strides toward a passenger-friendly regulatory framework, clearing a passenger will take just 30 to 40 seconds.”
He further added that beyond streamlining immigration, efforts are underway to introduce lower and flat port charges, enable digital customs duty payments, and implement tax reforms – all aimed at attracting more cruise ships to India.
The third wave focuses on market cultivation, “Which is why we have a strong presence at SATTE 2025, with hopes of strengthening this partnership in the future. Tourism and cruises are two sides of the same coin,” Narwal emphasised.
He also highlighted plans to collaborate with the ‘Incredible India’ campaign and develop specialised cruise circuits that showcase India’s rich diversity, not just in heritage, but also in wellness tourism, connecting spiritual destinations along the way.
He reiterated the significant impact of the cruise industry, noting that a single cruise call contributes nearly ₹3 crore to the local economy. “We anticipate the creation of approximately 5 lakh jobs over the next five years. This is the economic tide that will lift all boats,” Narwal concluded.