Heritage River Journeys has placed a repeat order with Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (Hooghly-CSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited, for the construction of two luxury river cruise vessels, each featuring 40 suites
This order of two luxury river cruises follows a commitment made by Raj Singh, Founder of Heritage River Journeys, to Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, IAS, in July 2026, of a 500-CR investment in the Brahmaputra.
The contract was signed at SAGARMANTHAN in New Delhi, in the presence of the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, along with distinguished international dignitaries. Representing Heritage River Journeys at the occasion were Raj Singh, Founder, and Vineet Arora, Chief Operating Officer.
Valued at approximately ₹250–300 crore, the repeat order marks another significant milestone in Heritage River Journeys’ long-term investment in purpose-built vessels and the development of India’s inland waterway cruise infrastructure.
The latest contract follows an earlier vessel order placed in June 2025, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to building a modern fleet designed specifically for India’s rivers. The two newly ordered vessels are scheduled for delivery in June 2029 and June 2030, respectively, and will operate on the Brahmaputra River.
As interest in experiential travel, destination-led tourism and river-based journeys continues to grow, investment in cruise infrastructure can play an important role in strengthening India’s broader tourism ecosystem. Such investments have the potential to support hospitality, local employment, destination development and a wide range of allied services connected with tourism and inland waterways.
The repeat order reflects Heritage River Journeys’ long-term vision of creating world-class river cruising experiences in India while contributing to the development of the infrastructure needed to unlock the tourism potential of the country’s rivers.
Since launching Bengal Ganga in 2008 under the aegis of Antara Cruises, Heritage River Journeys has pioneered luxury river cruising in India. Antara Cruises’ fleet today includes Bengal Ganga, Ganges Voyager I, Ganges Voyager II, and Ganga Vilas, whose landmark itinerary was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The company has also expanded into private luxury and wildlife experiences with Nauka Vilas on the Hooghly and four luxury catamaran yachts in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha.
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