India Hosts ASEAN Cruise Dialogue : Strengthens Maritime Ties in Chennai
Chennai, July 1, 2025 — The two-day ASEAN-India Cruise Tourism Dialogue commenced in Chennai this week, bringing together 30 delegates from 10 ASEAN member states including The Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The forum, hosted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is focused on bolstering maritime connectivity, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and sharing best practices to foster growth in the cruise tourism sector across the region.
The event marks the second edition of the ASEAN-India dialogue on cruise tourism, and notably, the first time it has been held in India. With growing interest in regional tourism and increasing global attention on sustainable maritime development, the dialogue aims to position ASEAN and India as influential players in the global cruise industry.
A Strategic Maritime Vision
Addressing the media at the forum, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaborative effort. “It is the second edition of such a dialogue and the first one in the country. This is mainly to develop our collaboration and cooperation to promote the cruise industry. This initiative is required so that, in this part of the world, ASEAN and India can play an important role,” he said.
Highlighting India’s growing ambitions in maritime tourism, the Minister added, “We want to have a major share in the participation of ocean cruise, sea cruise, and river cruise. India, with its vast coastline, vibrant cultural heritage, and historical ports, has immense potential to emerge as a cruise tourism hub.”
Vision for a Regional Cruise Circuit
T. K. Ramachandran, Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, underlined the broader vision behind the dialogue — the creation of a regional cruise circuit that integrates India and ASEAN countries. “The idea is to have a cruise circuit and involve all these countries in order to make it more lucrative for everyone. Such integration will boost regional tourism, open up employment opportunities, and enhance people-to-people ties,” he said.
The proposed cruise circuit is expected to link multiple port cities across Southeast Asia and India, allowing travelers to explore culturally rich and scenic destinations by sea. This integrated model would simplify travel logistics, create shared infrastructure investments, and promote a seamless travel experience for cruise passengers.
Growing Infrastructure in Chennai
India’s efforts to position itself as a major cruise destination have seen substantial progress, particularly in Chennai. Sunil Paliwal, Chairman of the Cruise Bharat Mission and Chairman of Chennai and Kamarajar Ports, said the Chennai Cruise Terminal has witnessed increasing cruise calls since the signing of an international agreement in 2022.
“After the signing of the agreement in 2022, we started having vessel calls for four months. Next September, the same company is getting one more ship, and then we hope to have one cruise vessel permanently. We are improving on our cruise terminal as well,” Paliwal stated.
This growing engagement has not only benefited tourism in Tamil Nadu but also contributed to India’s wider maritime economy. Paliwal expressed optimism that more international cruise liners would consider Indian ports as regular stopovers, given the ongoing improvements in infrastructure and policy support.
Major Port Projects Announced
To further bolster the cruise infrastructure, Minister Sonowal laid the foundation stone for four key development projects at Chennai Port:
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Improvement of the Cruise Terminal – This project aims to enhance passenger handling capacity and provide a world-class experience to domestic and international cruise tourists.
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Development of a Paved Storage Yard (9.9 hectares) – The upgraded yard will serve as critical logistics infrastructure to handle cruise-related operations and cargo needs.
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Development of a Seafarers Club – Aimed at supporting the welfare of maritime workers, the club will offer facilities and services for Indian and foreign seafarers docking at the port.
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Conservation and Restoration of the Old Hydraulic Power House – This historic monument at the port will be renovated to preserve its heritage and convert it into a public space showcasing Chennai’s maritime legacy.
“These projects are a testament to our commitment to not just growing infrastructure but also respecting history, empowering workers, and enhancing the cruise experience for passengers,” said Sonowal during the inauguration ceremony.
A Bright Future for India-ASEAN Cruise Tourism
With global cruise tourism bouncing back post-pandemic and travelers increasingly seeking experiential and regional travel options, ASEAN and India stand at a strategic juncture. The collective coastline of ASEAN nations and India stretches over 70,000 kilometers, dotted with iconic destinations, pristine beaches, and UNESCO heritage sites — offering unparalleled opportunities for cruise tourism.
The Chennai dialogue aims to convert this potential into action through strategic cooperation, regulatory harmonization, and infrastructure development. Delegates at the forum are also expected to discuss digitization of port processes, green cruise practices, and financing models to support emerging cruise routes.
Looking Ahead
As the two-day dialogue concludes, stakeholders remain optimistic that the outcomes will shape the future of cruise tourism in the Indo-Pacific region. With India’s proactive role, ASEAN nations and India are on course to develop a thriving, interconnected, and sustainable cruise ecosystem.
“Cruise tourism is not just about leisure—it is a bridge between cultures, economies, and people,” said Secretary Ramachandran, summarising the vision of the forum. “Together, we are building that bridge, one port at a time.”
