Viking Cruises to debut locally built luxury ship on Brahmaputra River

Viking Cruises is set to tap into the tourism potential of the Brahmaputra River with the launch of its indigenously built vessel, Viking Brahmaputra, by late 2027. Designed to operate along the 891-km stretch of National Waterway-2 (NW-2) between the Bangladesh border and Sadiya, the 80-guest luxury cruise marks the company’s debut in India’s river cruise market. Developed by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kolkata, the vessel reflects growing global interest and investment in India’s inland waterway tourism, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

he Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has significantly enhanced river cruise operations by developing terminals, both onshore and offshore, maintaining adequate waterway depth, and offering round-the-clock navigation aids and pilotage services. These efforts have elevated passenger comfort, streamlined logistics, and strengthened operator confidence—fueling the sector’s rapid growth.

A standout achievement was the launch of MV Ganga Vilas in January 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The vessel completed the world’s longest river cruise, spanning 3,200 km across 27 river systems in five Indian states and Bangladesh, earning a spot in the Limca Book of Records.

Cruise tourism continues to flourish, with circuits like the Sundarbans in West Bengal, the Brahmaputra in Assam, and the backwaters of Alappuzha in Kerala gaining popularity among domestic and international travellers.

IWAI plans to develop 51 new river cruise circuits on 47 national waterways across 14 states and three Union territories by 2027. With the launch of the Cruise Bharat Mission, the government aims to increase river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million. The mission focuses on upgrading cruise terminals, ports and related infrastructure, promoting eco-friendly tourism practices using green vessels, and creating numerous employment opportunities in the cruise industry in the coming two years.