India needs to reimagine the cruise tourism around India’s coastal tourism potential, said Raj Singh, chairman of Antara Cruises, at THE WEEK Maritime Conclave held in Kochi.
“Look at our ports—they are rich in culture and history, and the government has been actively promoting them from Gujarat all the way to Kolkata. But when we talk about sea cruise tourism in India, there are still two realities.
Currently, most of the ships that come here are international liners, sailing routes like the Middle East–Mumbai–Goa–Sri Lanka–Southeast Asia. These vessels merely stop at Indian ports in transit; they are not truly Indian ships, nor are they designed around India’s coastal tourism potential,” he said.
Singh, who is the visionary behind the iconic MV Ganga Vilas Cruise—the world's longest motor vessel river cruise– says that India needs a separate sector of coastal cruises.
“This, I believe, is the future. Coastal cruising must be developed indigenously, because no international company has shown interest in building it here—they are focused on economies of scale, and India is not yet their priority market. But for us, it’s essential. Imagine coastal cruises starting in Gujarat, circling India, and ending in Kolkata. That is the vision we need to work toward,” said Singh.
Globally, cruise tourism accounts for around 25–37 million passengers, while India’s share is tiny. By 2030, the global revenue from cruises is expected to reach $36 billion. “Within Asia, China is far ahead—they have the ports, the infrastructure, and most importantly, a large domestic passenger base. That’s why they lead, just as they do in cargo shipping,” he said.
Singh noted that currently, there is a focus on building cruise terminals at various ports. “That’s important, but terminals alone are not enough. The world is building hubs. And we must too. A hub is not just a point of entry—it’s where ships can be based, serviced, and operated. That’s where real revenue lies,” he said. “If we can develop even one or two hubs—say in Mumbai or another strategic port—we will make a real breakthrough. Terminals are necessary, but hubs are the game-changers.”
Singh said that the different cruises his firm is operating across different rivers today are—locally designed and manufactured, yet competing with international standards. “We had to ensure they were compatible with Europe, Southeast Asia, and Egypt. Every ship we’ve built has been created with this in mind,” he said.
Raj Singh, who is a naturalist also, said that river cruise tourism plays a much larger role than leisure alone. “It helps keep rivers alive. To sustain cruise operations, a minimum water flow must be maintained. That means authorities and communities pay closer attention to river health. Moreover, cruises generate local benefits. Crews are recruited from riverside villages, local transport is used, and remote communities gain exposure and income. This aligns perfectly with the Prime Minister’s vision of bringing livelihood and life back to river ecosystems,” he said.