Team Blitz India
CHENNAI: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, flagged off the MV Empress, India’s first international cruise vessel, from Chennai to Sri Lanka here on June 5. This marks the launch of international cruise tourism terminal at Chennai, built at a cost of ₹17.21 crore, heralding a new age of cruise tourism and maritime trade in the country. Coinciding with the Environment Day, the launch also saw the Union Minister along with port officials, planting 2500 saplings at the port.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has been taking multiple steps to develop the avenues of cruise tourism in the country and bolster opportunities of maritime trade of India.
“With our rich heritage and culture around our coastal region, the potential of cruise tourism in India is immense. Today we have ushered in a new chapter in cruise tourism sector in the country. As the affordability and access to world-class cruise services becomes a reality, the people can enjoy and relish luxurious amenities, entertainment, and breath-taking views.”
The cruise service is the result of an MoU signed during the first Incredible India International Cruise Conference in 2022 between Chennai Port and Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd to start domestic and international cruise service.
With an overwhelming response by 85,000 passengers availing the cruise service through 37 vessels for the domestic circuit, it is expected that the opening up of international circuit will further amp up the business of cruise tourism in the region. The modern cruise terminal developed at Chennai Port is spread over an area of 2,880 square meters with an ability to host 3,000 passengers at a time.
