The government plans to increase coastal shipping freight share to 12% by 2047 and reach 1 million cruise passengers by 2029 through new initiatives including the Cruise Bharat Mission and the development of the Puri International Cruise Terminal.
Strategic Initiatives for India's Maritime Growth
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, on Tuesday said that the government is working to double the share of coastal and inland waterway shipping in India's freight movement from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and to attract one million sea cruise passengers by 2029, through two proposed initiatives, the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme and the Cruise Bharat Mission.
Speaking at a Consultative Committee meeting in Puri, Odisha, the Union Minister also announced that Puri International Cruise Terminal will be developed by Paradip Port Authority (PPA) in partnership with the Government of Odisha. The project is likely to be developed at a cost of Rs 1,500 crores. Sonowal chaired a meeting of the ministry's Consultative Committee on strengthening coastal and cruise shipping. Minister of State of MoPSW Shantanu Thakur and eight members of Parliament attended. The ministry's secretary introduced the topic by outlining measures to promote coastal and cruise shipping.
Maritime Sector Transformation
"In the last 12 years under PM Narendra Modi, India's maritime sector has undergone massive transformations," Sonowal said. India has more than 11,000 kilometres (6,800 miles) of coastline, a natural advantage for moving freight over long distances more cleanly. Coastal cargo at Indian ports has surged from 74 million metric tons to 177 million metric tons over the past 12 years, growth of about 140 per cent, Sonowal said.
“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,” he added.
Key Schemes and Future Infrastructure
The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, announced in the 2026-27 budget, will offer incentives to cargo owners, coastal vessel operators and multimodal transport operators who move cargo by more than one means of transport, such as ship, rail and road. Sea cruises are also growing fast, Sonowal said. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, India recorded 462,661 ocean cruise passengers and 212 vessel calls, a 5.5-fold rise in passenger traffic and a 2.1-fold rise in vessel calls since 2013-14.
The Cruise Bharat Mission, launched in September 2024, targets 1 million sea cruise passengers and 400,000 jobs by March 2029. Twenty river cruise circuits across 16 National Waterways are already operating, and 51 more have been identified for development in phases. Sonowal said 143 river cruise terminals and landing points are operational. The two initiatives together are expected to generate more than 560,000 jobs and save 16 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, Sonowal said.
Development of National Waterways
Sonowal highlighted the development of National Waterway No. 5 in Odisha, estimated to cost more than Rs 13,000 crore. The waterway is meant to link the state's industrial and mining centres, including Talcher and Kalinganagar, with ports on the east coast. Members of Parliament praised the government's efforts to develop the maritime sector and offered suggestions on maritime infrastructure in different parts of the country.
"I extend my deep gratitude to the MPs for their valuable insights and suggestions, which will help shape this journey," Sonowal said. "Led by PM Modi's vision, we are steadily advancing towards a competitive, sustainable and thriving maritime ecosystem for a Viksit Bharat,” he added.
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