Cruise tourism poised for take-off in T.N., Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari seen as potential destinations

Cruise tourism in Tamil Nadu is set to take off in a big way in near future as multiple locations are being explored as destinations.

“We are actively considering to conduct the feasibility study at Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari for its inclusion as cruise destinations,” Vikas Narwal, Managing Director (MD) of the Indian Ports Association (IPA) said here, on Monday.

One of the routes considered, runs through Devipattinam-Kurusadai Island-Kunthukal-Villoondi Theertham-Agni Theertham-Kothandaramar Temple-Arichal Munnai. Floating jetty is also being built to help tourism development and for embarkation and disembarkation for tourists at Agni Theertham and Villoondi Theertham.

While speaking on the sidelines of a workshop-cum-roadshow held ahead of the upcoming India Maritime Summit 2025, Mr. Narwal, said that they were in talks with the Andaman and Nicobar administration as well to explore the feasibility of cruise connectivity at various islands.

Also, following the ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue 2025 which was held in Chennai recently, they have initiated dialogues with Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, Mr. Narwal said. “Already, Indian Ports Association and Malaysia have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore various possibilities of cruise sectors, and soon, we may have another MoU with Indonesia and Thailand [for establishing cruise connectivity],” he added.

Sunil Paliwal, chairman of Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, said, Cordelia Cruise moves between west coast and east coast. “Now, they are trying to get one more ship which may be completely berthed on the east coast and Chennai is likely to be the home port,” he added.

T. K. Ramachandran, secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways noted one of the fallouts of the ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue 2025 was that a lot of countries now agreed upon common frameworks, common procedures, ensuring that customs and immigration were all streamlined so that people could have the best experience.

Mr. Paliwal said, since 2016, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has been conducting Global Maritime India Summit and this year it was proposed to be held as India Maritime Week 2025 from October 27 to 31.

Mr. Ramachandran said, “Our aim of conducting this roadshow is to invite all the stakeholders, professionals, industry bodies, and trained representatives to this event. This event will encompass the entire maritime sector, including ports, shipping, ship building, funding, financing, insurance, seafarers, fuels, cruise and tourism.”