The luxury vessel MV Empress, operated by Cordelia Cruises (India), departed from the Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal en route to Chennai (India), following a virtual flag-off by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The departure marks a significant advancement in India's coastal tourism sector.
In connection with this development, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his support for the cruise tourism industry, offering assurance of full cooperation from the State to further the sector's growth.
Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, reaffirmed the Indian government’s ongoing commitment to fostering cruise tourism across all national ports. His statement emphasized the strategic importance of maritime travel in the country’s tourism blueprint.
During the event, Kandula Durgesh, Minister of Tourism, noted the State government's active efforts in establishing tourism circuits and dedicated hubs. He stated that these initiatives aim to attract additional cruise operators and enhance infrastructure to accommodate increased maritime traffic.
T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry, characterized the occasion as a pivotal moment for Andhra Pradesh's cruise tourism trajectory. He highlighted the voyage of M.V. Empress as a concrete step toward realizing the objectives outlined in the Maritime India Vision, particularly in terms of economic impact and coastal development.
Ajay Jain, Special Chief Secretary for Tourism and Culture, reiterated the State’s willingness to collaborate closely with central agencies and private operators to facilitate cruise tourism initiatives.
Visakhapatnam Port Authority Chairperson M. Angamuthu detailed the port’s commitment to human capital development through the annual sponsorship of 5,000 students in cruise-specific skill training programs. He projected that this initiative would significantly enhance employment prospects and contribute to the socio-economic advancement of the coastal population. He also announced plans to convene an Andhra-specific Cruise Dialogue, which would serve as a coordinated platform involving the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Ministry of Tourism, and the State Government, aimed at accelerating sectoral development.