Cochin Shipyard’s wholly owned subsidiary -- Hooghly Cochin Shipyard (Hooghly CSL) has bagged order from Heritage River Journeys, operating under the Brand name Antara River Cruises, for the construction of two Luxury River Cruise vessels to be operated on the Brahmaputra River. Once these vessels are put into operation, India - with its large network of rivers and waterways - will secure a prominent position on the global river cruise map, opening a gateway for the country to generate significant revenue from the largely untapped river cruise market.

This contract represents the synergy of World-Class shipbuilding Expertise and high-end riverine hospitality, & reinforces a shared commitment to the growth of luxury river cruise tourism in India. Aimed to deliver culturally immersive, sustainable sailing experiences along the country’s iconic waterways, this step is envisaged to be a game changer in the history of Luxury River cruising. The new vessels promise to set new benchmarks for luxury, safety, and sustainability in inland navigation and reflect a strong push towards the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and showcases India’s growing capacity to design and construct globally competitive cruise vessels of international standards.

Antara River Cruises, renowned for its immersive voyages along the Ganga, Padma, and Brahmaputra river systems, currently operates a fleet of bespoke luxury cruise vessels that sail South Asia’s most iconic rivers. Its flagship vessel, Ganga Vilas, offers the longest, most picturesque river cruise in the world. This epic journey, famously showcased by the Limca Book of Records, covers over 3,200 kilometres across 27 rivers, and traverses diverse regions including the Gangetic plains, the Sundarbans, and the Brahmaputra Valley. 

Cochin Shipyard is the first Greenfield and presently the most modern shipbuilding and ship repair yard in India.