Kolkata / Kochi: Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has entered into a landmark contract with Heritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd. to build an 80-passenger luxury river cruise vessel. This will be the second vessel in the series to be constructed under Indian Register of Shipping (IR) Class certification.
Agreement Signing Ceremony
The agreement was signed by Mr. Raj Singh, CMD of Antara Cruises, and Mr. Sreejith K. Narayanan, CEO of Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Ltd., in the presence of key officials from CSL and Heritage River Journeys:
- Mr. Madhu S. Nair, CMD, Cochin Shipyard Limited
- Mr. Jose V. J., Director (Finance), CSL
- Dr. Harikrishnan S., Director (Operations), CSL
- Mr. Vineet Arora, COO, Heritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd.
The signing marks another significant step in India’s efforts to enhance inland waterway tourism and luxury river cruise services.
Strengthening Inland Waterway Tourism
The new vessel will feature state-of-the-art amenities and provide premium onboard experiences for passengers, catering to the rising demand for luxury travel along India’s river networks. With eco-friendly designs and advanced onboard systems, the project also emphasizes sustainable tourism.
Officials highlighted that this initiative aligns with the government’s vision to develop inland waterways as an alternative, sustainable mode of transport while simultaneously boosting local tourism infrastructure.
HCSL and Heritage Partnership
The contract reinforces the partnership between Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited and Heritage River Journeys, showcasing the shipyard’s capability to deliver high-quality, technologically advanced vessels for the luxury tourism sector. The collaboration also reflects India’s growing focus on combining tourism development with environmental sustainability.
About Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited
Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL) is a fully owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited that specializes in shipbuilding and repair projects, focusing on inland and coastal vessels. HCSL plays a key role in supporting India’s shipbuilding capabilities and maritime infrastructure development.
About Cochin Shipyard Limited
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, is a premier public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Established in 1972, CSL is one of India’s largest shipbuilding and maintenance facilities, known for constructing a wide range of vessels including naval ships, tankers, and passenger vessels.
