Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal outlines ambitious coastal shipping and cruise tourism targets, with proposed initiatives expected to boost cargo movement, employment and sustainable maritime growth.
India is targeting a significant expansion in coastal and inland waterway transportation, with the government aiming to double their combined share in the country’s freight movement from the current 6% to 12% by 2047. The Centre is also targeting one million sea cruise passengers by 2029 as part of its broader strategy to strengthen India’s maritime economy.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced these targets while chairing the Ministry’s Consultative Committee meeting on strengthening coastal and cruise shipping in Puri, Odisha. Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur and eight Members of Parliament attended the meeting.
A major announcement at the meeting was the proposed development of the Puri International Cruise Terminal, which will be undertaken by Paradip Port Authority (PPA) in partnership with the Government of Odisha. The project is expected to involve an investment of approximately ₹1,500 crore.
Sonowal said the government is advancing two major initiatives — the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme and the Cruise Bharat Mission — to accelerate coastal cargo transportation, promote cruise tourism and unlock the economic potential of India’s extensive coastline and inland waterways.
“In the last 12 years under PM Narendra Modi, India’s maritime sector has undergone massive transformations,” Sonowal said.
India’s coastline, extending over 11,000 kilometres, offers significant potential for shifting freight from road and rail to more energy-efficient maritime transportation. According to the Minister, coastal cargo handled at Indian ports has increased from 74 million metric tonnes to 177 million metric tonnes over the past 12 years, registering growth of approximately 140%.
“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dynamic leadership, our coastline and our rivers are being turned into engines of growth. The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme and the Cruise Bharat Mission will move more cargo by sea and bring more visitors to our shores, creating jobs and protecting the environment,” Sonowal said.
Incentives to Boost Coastal Cargo Movement
The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, is designed to encourage a modal shift towards coastal shipping by providing incentives to cargo owners, coastal vessel operators and multimodal transport operators.
The scheme is expected to improve the competitiveness of coastal transportation, facilitate greater integration between sea, rail and road networks, and reduce logistics costs and carbon emissions.
Cruise Tourism Targets One Million Passengers by 2029
India’s cruise tourism sector has also recorded substantial growth. During FY 2025-26, the country registered 462,661 ocean cruise passengers and 212 vessel calls. Compared with FY 2013-14, passenger traffic has increased 5.5 times, while vessel calls have risen 2.1 times.
Launched in September 2024, the Cruise Bharat Mission aims to attract one million sea cruise passengers and generate 400,000 jobs by March 2029.
River cruise tourism is also gaining momentum, with 20 river cruise circuits across 16 National Waterways already operational. Another 51 circuits have been identified for phased development. Additionally, 143 river cruise terminals and landing points are currently operational.
Together, the two initiatives are expected to generate more than 560,000 employment opportunities and help save approximately 16 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
National Waterway 5 to Strengthen Odisha’s Industrial Connectivity
Highlighting Odisha’s maritime infrastructure development, Sonowal also drew attention to the development of National Waterway No. 5, an ambitious project estimated to cost more than ₹13,000 crore.
The waterway is envisaged to connect major industrial and mining centres, including Talcher and Kalinganagar, with ports along India’s eastern coastline. The project is expected to strengthen multimodal connectivity, facilitate industrial cargo movement and improve access to maritime gateways.
Members of Parliament appreciated the government’s initiatives to develop the maritime sector and shared suggestions on strengthening maritime infrastructure and connectivity across different regions of the country.
Expressing appreciation for their contributions, Sonowal said the suggestions would help shape the country’s maritime development agenda.
The proposed Puri International Cruise Terminal, alongside the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, Cruise Bharat Mission and National Waterway 5 development, reflects the government’s broader ambition to position coastal shipping, inland waterways and cruise tourism as key drivers of India’s logistics competitiveness and maritime growth under the vision of Viksit Bharat.