States » SouthPosted at: Jul 3 2025 12:07AM


Luxury cruise line MV Empress flagged off from Visakhapatnam Internal Cruise Terminal

Visakhapatnam, July 2 (UNI) The luxury cruise liner M.V. Empress arrived at the Visakhapatnam International Cruise Terminal here today, marking a significant milestone in the city’s advent as a premier destination for Cruise Tourism.

To celebrate the occasion, the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), in collaboration with the District Administration, organised a grand flag-off ceremony for the vessel’s onward voyage, said T. Venu Gopal, Secretary, VPA in a release here.
Union Minister for Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off the cruise ship and conveyed the Prime Minister’s vision that Visakhapatnam would play a key role in boosting tourism and economic growth in the Maritime Sector.
Minister of state for MoPSW Shantanu Thakur reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to promoting Cruise Tourism across Indian Ports.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, extended his best wishes on the occasion and assured full support for the development of Cruise Tourism in the State.
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism Kandula Durgesh emphasised the AP Government’s proactive approach in developing tourist circuits and hubs, envisioning many more cruise liners to call at Visakhapatnam in the future.
MoPSW Secretary T.K. Ramachandran described the flag-off of M.V. Empress as a historic milestone for Andhra Pradesh’s Cruise Tourism journey and highlighted its potential to boost the local economy, in line with the Maritime India Vision.

Dr. M. Angamuthu, Chairperson, VPA, said the company would sponsor 5,000 students annually in cruise-led skill development programmes, thereby generating employment and contributing to the socio-economic up-liftment of coastal regions.
He also revealed plans to organise an Andhra-specific Cruise Dialogue to further accelerate Cruise Tourism development, in coordination with MoPSW, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh. UNI KNR SSP
Tags: #Luxury cruise line MV Empress flagged off from Visakhapatnam Internal Cruise Terminal
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