Growth of Passenger Ship Transport in India: Aiming for 1.5 Million Passengers by 2029

Growth of Passenger Ship Transport in India: Aiming for 1.5 Million Passengers by 2029

India’s transportation infrastructure is evolving rapidly, and among the key areas now gaining attention is maritime or passenger ship transport. Recently, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, made a major announcement stating that the number of people using ship transport in India will be increased to 1.5 million by the year 2029.

This statement was made while addressing the press regarding an upcoming international maritime and tourism summit scheduled to be held at Mamallapuram near Chennai, a city known for its rich heritage and tourism appeal. This new goal reflects the central government’s renewed focus on promoting coastal tourism and sustainable transport solutions.

The Current State of Ship Transport in India

India is a peninsula with a long coastline stretching about 7,517 kilometers, which hosts several major ports. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, and Kolkata serve as key centers for maritime activities. However, despite this natural advantage, passenger movement by sea has remained limited, with most maritime traffic involving cargo.

Unlike European or Southeast Asian countries, where cruise tourism and ferry systems are well-established, India’s passenger ship transport has been underutilized. The infrastructure, awareness, and demand have been relatively low. But this is now beginning to change.

The Goal: 1.5 Million Passengers by 2029

According to Minister Sonowal, the Indian government is actively working towards enhancing maritime tourism and passenger movement via ships. The key points driving this goal are:

1. Tourism Growth: Coastal tourism in India is witnessing a sharp rise. Destinations like Mamallapuram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Kovalam, and Goa are becoming increasingly popular among domestic and international tourists. Ships and cruise services provide an exciting and scenic mode of transport to these locations.
2. Modern Ships: New-age cruise liners and passenger ships equipped with luxury cabins, restaurants, entertainment zones, and medical facilities are drawing interest from the public.
3. Improved Safety: Technological advancements like modern navigation systems, satellite tracking, and coast guard surveillance have made sea travel safer than ever before.
4. Port Upgrades: Major ports across India are being upgraded with passenger terminals, lounges, customs checkpoints, and docking facilities, specifically to handle an increasing number of tourists.

Significance of the Mamallapuram Summit

The announcement by the minister was made in the context of an upcoming summit in Mamallapuram, an ancient coastal town near Chennai. This event is expected to be a milestone in maritime development and coastal tourism.

Mamallapuram is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its shore temples, rock-cut sculptures, and ancient maritime history. Hosting a maritime summit here is symbolic of blending India’s historic sea trade heritage with its future ambitions in cruise and passenger ship travel.

The summit will discuss topics such as:

• Maritime infrastructure development
• Blue economy opportunities
• Coastal tourism investment
• Public-private partnerships in shipping
• Enhancing port-city connectivity

Sagarmala Project – Modi Government’s Maritime Vision

This vision for increased sea-based transport is closely tied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sagarmala Project. Launched with the aim of transforming India’s coastal economy, this flagship initiative includes:

• Modernizing port infrastructure
• Improving logistics through waterways
• Promoting shipbuilding and repair industries
• Generating employment in coastal regions
• Integrating ports with inland transport systems

The passenger transport target of 1.5 million aligns with the larger objectives of Sagarmala – to use India’s coastal strength for economic, tourism, and transport growth.

Upcoming Initiatives to Reach the Goal

To meet the 2029 target of 1.5 million passengers using ship transport, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has outlined several key initiatives:

• New Passenger Terminals: Ports like Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, and Chennai are being developed with international-standard cruise terminals.
• Integrated Ferry Services: Regular ferry services between coastal cities and island destinations will be launched to reduce travel time and promote affordable tourism.
• Luxury Cruise Routes: Private operators will be encouraged to run high-end cruise ships between major tourist destinations.
• Digital Booking Systems: Seamless online ticketing and booking platforms are being developed for ship travel, similar to airline and railway portals.
• Special Tourism Campaigns: Promotional campaigns to raise awareness about the beauty, safety, and comfort of sea travel are being launched.
• Financial Investments: Both public funding and private investment are being channeled into the maritime sector. International financial institutions like the World Bank are also being tapped for funding infrastructure upgrades.

Benefits of Expanding Passenger Ship Transport

The growth of ship-based passenger transport is expected to bring multi-dimensional benefits to the Indian economy and society:

1. Boost to Tourism: Enhancing sea routes opens up lesser-known destinations to tourism, leading to local economic development.
2. Job Creation: Thousands of jobs are expected to be created in ports, ship maintenance, logistics, tour operations, and hospitality.
3. Environmental Benefits: Ship travel is significantly more eco-friendly than road or air transport, especially for short distances.
4. Connectivity to Islands: Improved connectivity to Andaman, Lakshadweep, Diu, and Daman will benefit local populations and strategic administration.
5. Emergency Transport: Ships can act as alternate transport during natural disasters when roads and air travel are disrupted.

Challenges Ahead

While the vision is ambitious and promising, certain challenges must be addressed:

• Weather Dependence: Monsoons and rough seas may interrupt services, requiring advanced forecasting systems.
• Affordability: Cruise ships and passenger liners must offer cost-effective fares to attract the middle class and daily commuters.
• Security Concerns: Ports and ships must be protected against threats, requiring coordination with naval and coastal security forces.
• Private Participation: Policies should encourage more private players to enter the cruise and ferry service sector.

Conclusion

India’s renewed focus on maritime passenger transport is a bold and futuristic move. With increasing coastal tourism, modern ship technology, and strategic policy support, the goal of reaching 1.5 million ship passengers by 2029 is both achievable and desirable.

The announcement by Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, paired with initiatives like the Sagarmala Project, showcases the Modi government’s commitment to transforming India into a maritime powerhouse. With port upgrades, new routes, and public-private collaboration, India is all set to rediscover its ancient maritime roots in a modern avatar.