**Policy Summary: "Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism" Conference**
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Indian Ports Association (IPA), is hosting the "Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism" conference on August 18, 2025, in Mumbai. The conference aims to explore and promote the potential of cruise tourism in India through discussions on policy initiatives, best practices, and growth strategies.
Key topics to be addressed include the strategic vision for cruise tourism development, policy and regulatory frameworks, cultural and coastal itinerary development, cruise terminal best practices, smart terminal operations, and green port strategies. NAVIC Cell 4, a specialized cell under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways focused on ocean, river, and lighthouse tourism, as well as ferries, will present its achievements and reforms in the tourism sector. The vision of NAVIC Cell 4 is to establish India as a global cruise tourism hub through the development of sustainable ocean and river cruise circuits.
Shri Vijay Kumar, IAS, Chairman of IWAI and Nodal Officer of NAVIC Cell 4, will deliver a keynote address. A panel discussion featuring industry experts, including Shri Vikas Narwal, IAS, MD, IPA; Shri AK Bansal, Chief Engineer, IWAI; Shri Opesh Sharma, Director Cruise, MoPSW, Representative from Antara Cruises-Heritage River Journeys Private Limited; Shri Vikas Malviya, Director, Nordic Cruiseline Private Limited; and other river cruise operators, will be held.
The conference will conclude with a presentation on India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025), scheduled for October, which will showcase advancements, opportunities, and collaborations within the maritime sector to drive domestic growth and international cooperation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways in India. Also referred to as MoPSW.
Mumbai Port Trust: An organization involved in hosting the 'Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism' conference.
Inland Waterways Authority of India: A leading organization under the Government of India focused on developing inland water transport in the country. Also referred to as IWAI.
Indian Ports Association: An association involved in organizing the 'Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism' conference. Also referred to as IPA.
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation: A stakeholder participating in the 'Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism' conference.
NAVIC Cell 4: A specialized cell established by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways MoPSW to focus on tourism, specifically ocean, river and lighthouse tourism, as well as ferries.
Shri Vijay Kumar: IAS, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India IWAI who is the Nodal Officer of NAVIC Cell 4.
India Maritime Week 2025: An event scheduled for October that aims to showcase advancements, opportunities and collaborations in the maritime sector. Also referred to as IMW 2025.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Mumbai to Host 'Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking
Cruise Tourism' Conference
Posted On: 16 AUG 2025 3:23PM by PIB Delhi
Mumbai Port Trust, in association with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Indian Ports
Association (IPA), is organising a conference titled ‘Waterways to Wonder: Unlocking Cruise Tourism’ on
Monday, August 18 in Mumbai. The event aims to explore the potential of cruise tourism in India and discuss
policy initiatives, best practices and strategies for growth.
The conference will feature presentations, panel discussions and addresses by dignitaries from the Ministry of
Tourism, Government of India, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and other stakeholders. Key
topics to be discussed include strategic vision and policy perspective for cruise tourism development, policy
and regulatory levers for growth, cultural and coastal itineraries, cruise terminal best practices, smart terminal
operations and green port strategies.
The event will also showcase the achievements and reforms in tourism and ferries through a presentation by
NAVIC Cell 4. It is a specialised cell established by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways
(MoPSW) to focus on tourism, specifically ocean, river and lighthouse tourism, as well as ferries. Its vision is
to make India a global hub for cruise tourism by developing functional and sustainable ocean and river cruise
circuits.
A keynote address will be delivered by Shri Vijay Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of
India (IWAI) who is the Nodal Officer of NAVIC Cell 4.
IWAI is a leading organisation under the Government of India that focuses on developing inland water
transport in the country. The Authority has made significant strides in promoting river cruise tourism and
developing efficient water transport systems with a focus on sustainable infrastructure, tech-enabled
operations and regulatory reforms.
During the half-day event, a panel discussion will also be held featuring industry experts including Shri Vikas
Narwal, IAS, MD, IPA; Shri AK Bansal, Chief Engineer, IWAI; Shri Opesh Sharma, Director (Cruise),
MoPSW, Representative from Antara Cruises/Heritage River Journeys Private Limited; Shri Vikas Malviya,
Director, Nordic Cruiseline Private Limited and other river cruise operators.
The conference will conclude with a presentation on India Maritime Week 2025. IMW 2025, scheduled for
October, aims to showcase advancements, opportunities and collaborations in the maritime sector, driving
domestic growth and international cooperation.
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SR/GDH/SB
(Release ID: 2157161)