India’s ASEAN Ties: Strengthening the Cruise Ship Industry

On June 30, 2025, India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways held the inaugural ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai, attended by representatives from all ASEAN member nations, including Brunei, Cambodia, and Vietnam, along with Timor-Leste. This significant gathering aimed to enhance cruise connectivity between India and ASEAN countries, focusing on heritage-led cruise tourism.

The ASEAN countries boast over 25 major seaports and a collective coastline exceeding 100,000 kilometers. With India’s own 7,500 km coastline and numerous inland waterways, collaboration with ASEAN can greatly expand cruise tourism opportunities in India. Currently, the cruise tourism market is valued at around $7.1 billion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1% over the next decade, generating jobs across various sectors including hospitality, aviation, and healthcare.

Cruise Bharat Mission

The "Maritime India Vision 2030" initiative forecasts that the Indian cruise tourism market could potentially be eight times larger than its current size. Central to this vision is the Cruise Bharat Mission, which aims to establish India as a premier global cruise destination. This mission is designed to harness the cruise tourism sector’s potential to create new economic and travel opportunities.

To achieve this, it’s crucial to enhance connectivity and infrastructure. Identifying promising cruise routes and creating a supportive regulatory environment is essential for refining the cruising experience for international tourists.

Current Developments

India’s ports are progressively establishing state-of-the-art cruise terminals. The Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, operational since this year under a public-private partnership (PPP), offers cruises to destinations like Goa and Alibaug. Kerala’s Cochin Port operates two terminals catering to both domestic and international cruise traffic, with the arrival of the foreign cruise ship ‘Europa’ in 2022 marking a milestone for the state.

Almost complete is the international cruise terminal at Mormugao Port, poised to significantly shift the tourism landscape as a major tourist hub. Visakhapatnam’s Port is prepared to accommodate ships with passenger capacities of up to 2,000, facilitating coastal cruises to various popular destinations.

Challenges Ahead

Despite these advancements, there are considerable challenges including the need for comprehensive studies to establish a robust value proposition for tourists and operators alike. A strategic marketing approach akin to Kerala’s “God’s Own Country” slogan could be beneficial.

Moreover, establishing cruise ship operating and construction capacities poses a significant hurdle. The industry is trending towards larger vessels—like the ‘Icon of the Seas’, with a capacity of 7,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members—that require deep-draft ports. This demand emphasizes the need for competitive pricing and substantial investments from Indian entrepreneurs to bolster tourism appeal.

While the ASEAN initiative is crucial for India’s cruise tourism ambitions, considerable efforts in capacity building are necessary to fulfil the vision of becoming a global cruise hub.

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