**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha on December 5, 2025, concerning India's progress in becoming a global maritime hub. It confirms Chennai as a cruise hub with active cruise circuits and states that Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are key hubs for maritime activities. The document also outlines financial assistance provided through PMMSY for the development of fishing harbors and landing centers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Chennai as a Cruise Hub:**
* Chennai Port has handled 16 cruise ship calls (13 domestic, 3 international) up to November 30, 2025.
* Cruises operate on circuits including Chennai-Visakhapatnam-Puducherry-Chennai, Chennai-Hambantota-Trincomalee-Kankesanturai-Chennai, and Chennai-Phuket-Langkawi–Kuala Lumpur-Singapore-Kuala Lumpur - Phuket-Langkawi - Chennai.
* Cruise Bharat Mission is coordinating efforts to establish Chennai as a cruise hub.
* **Development in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu**
* The Department of Fisheries provides financial assistance via the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to State Governments, Union Territories, and implementing agencies.
* Assistance is for the construction, modernization, and dredging of fishing harbors and fish landing centers.
* Approved projects include 9 fishing harbor and 7 landing center projects in Andhra Pradesh, and 11 fishing harbor and 26 landing center projects in Tamil Nadu.
* **Cruise Terminal Footfall:**
* Cruise terminals are operational at Visakhapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh) with passenger footfall of 10,707.
* Chennai Port (Tamil Nadu) recorded passenger footfall of 41,047 in FY 2025-26 (up to November 2025).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government, Union Territories, and implementing agencies**
* **Impact:** Receive financial assistance for the construction, modernization, and maintenance of fishing harbors and landing centers.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the funds provided under PMMSY to execute and manage the approved projects for the development of maritime infrastructure.
**Stakeholder: Cruise Passengers**
* **Impact:** Increased cruise options and improved facilities at Chennai and Visakhapatnam Ports.
* **Action Required:** No action required, but may consider utilizing the cruise services offered at these locations.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing and facilitating the development of Chennai as a cruise hub.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with stakeholders through the Cruise Bharat Mission to ensure the successful establishment of Chennai as a prominent cruise destination.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The central ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways in India, answering the question about maritime hubs.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY): Flagship scheme providing financial assistance for fisheries development, including fishing harbours and landing centers.
Chennai Port: The port is set to become a cruise hub and gateway to other locations.
Cruise Bharat Mission: Mission coordinating with stakeholders to make Chennai a cruise hub.
Tamil Nadu: Mentioned as a key state for fishing harbours.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 980
ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
TRANSFORMING INDIA AS GLOBAL MARITIME HUB
980. SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:
(a) whether it is true that Chennai is all set to become a cruise hub and the gateway
to Malaysia, Thailand, Andaman, Puri, Kolkata, Puducherry and Sri Lanka in the next few
years as more ships will connect various destinations, if so, the details thereof alongwith
the action plan thereon; and
(b) whether it is also true that the States like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have
become key hubs for export-import trade, fishing harbours, seafood processing,
shipbuilding and repair, recycling industries, and maritime tourism and international cruise
passenger transport and these States will continue to be a key partners and model States
in the country's grand mission to transform the nation into global maritime hub, if so, the
details thereof alongwith the investments made in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) In 2025-26 (Upto 30th November,2025), Chennai Port has handled 16 cruise ship
calls which include 13 domestic & 3 International Cruise Calls. Cruises have operated on
the following circuits also:
Chennai–Visakhapatnam–Puducherry–Chennai,
Chennai–Hambantota–Trincomalee–Kankesanturai–Chennai,
Chennai–Phuket–Langkawi–Kuala Lumpur–Singapore–Kuala Lumpur - Phuket–
Langkawi - Chennai.
Cruise Bharat Mission is coordinating with stakeholders to make Chennai as a cruise hub.
(b) Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying under
the flagship scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY) provides
financial assistance to State Government, Union Territories and Implementing agencies
for construction of fishing harbour, fish landing centres, modernization/ upgradation of
existing fishing harbours and maintenance dredging of the existing fishing harbor.117fishing harbours and fish landing centres have been approved across coastal states/ UTs
under various Central schemes, viz., Blue Revolution, PMMSY and Fisheries and
Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), including 09 fishing harbour and
07 landing centre projects in Andhra Pradesh and 11 fishing harbour and 26 landing
centre projects in Tamil Nadu.
Cruise Terminal are operational at Visakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh with
passenger footfall recorded as 10,707 and at Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu with footfall
recorded as 41,047 in FY 2025-26 (Upto November 2025).
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