Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 27: As part of India Maritime Week 2025, a Special Session on Andaman & Nicobar Islands was held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai today to deliberate on the potential opportunities in the Maritime sector. The event was graced by Admiral D.K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Fisheries), Smt. J.P. Irene Cynthia, IAS, Managing Director, Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) and Ms. Purva Garg, IAS, Secretary (Shipping), along with other dignitaries and representatives from various maritime sectors. The Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, highlighted the pivotal role of key sectors such as Shipping, Tourism, and Fisheries in shaping the maritime domain of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Tourism: During the special session on Tourism, the A&N Administration showcased its ambitious plans through a presentation titled ‘Potential and Opportunities of Maritime Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands’, outlining key initiatives to unlock the region’s immense tourism and investment potential. With a comprehensive focus on Beach Tourism, Cruise Tourism, Heritage Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Astro Tourism, and Adventure Tourism, the Islands are positioning themselves as a holistic tourism hub that seamlessly blends nature, culture, and adventure. New cruise circuits linking Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Barren Island, Little Andaman, and the Nicobar group are being developed, alongside seaplane connectivity between Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, and Long Island, to enhance accessibility and attract global tourists. Recognizing its world-class dive sites such as South Button, Dixon’s Pinnacle, and Jackson Bar, the Administration is positioning the Islands as a Global Scuba Diving Destination. To ensure quality and safety, efforts are being made to align diving guidelines with international WRSTC (World Recreational Scuba Training Council) standards. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands stand out as the country’s only Union Territory with a dedicated Sport Fishing Rule, positioning the archipelago to emerge as India’s premier Sport Fishing destination. The Administration also plans to establish international-level dive schools, upgrade diver safety infrastructure by setting up hyperbaric chambers, and develop Underwater Maritime Heritage Parks around historically significant World War-II shipwrecks. These steps are aimed at creating a globally recognized destination for both recreational and heritage-based diving. Eco- and astro-tourism are being promoted through birdwatching and dark-sky stargazing zones, while heritage sites such as Cellular Jail, NSCB Dweep, Viper Island, and Chatham are being transformed into interactive attractions highlighting the Islands’ journey from “Colonial Sin to Tourism Paradise to Investor Paradise.”
The Administration has introduced the first-ever Houseboat Tourism Policy, encouraging luxury eco-resorts and mangrove-to-houseboat experiences, and has announced three Guinness World Record attempts in March 2026, including the largest underwater flag and human chain. These multi-faceted initiatives reflect a strategic push toward sustainable, inclusive, and investor-friendly tourism, positioning the A&N Islands as a vibrant maritime tourism hub and global tourism powerhouse.
Fisheries: During the session on Fisheries, a panel discussion on the theme “Fisheries as a Driver of the Blue Economy” was conducted, led by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Fisheries), A&N Administration. The session witnessed active participation from various stakeholders representing the maritime sector of the Islands.
The discussion focused on the immense Blue Economy potential of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the emerging opportunities in the fisheries sector, particularly in the development of the Tuna Cluster, Commercial Mariculture and Brackishwater Aquaculture, establishment of the Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder, and promotion of Sport Fishing activities. The Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Fisheries) further highlighted several recent initiatives undertaken by the A&N Administration to strengthen and expand the Blue Economy of the Islands. These include the invitation of applications for leasing designated sea areas to promote Commercial Mariculture ventures such as Open Sea Cage Culture, Seaweed Cultivation, and Pearl Farming; amendment of A&N Marine Fishing Rules, 2004 enabling registration and licensing of fishing vessels upto 24 metre OAL, proposal for upgradation of existing mechanized fishing vessels under tuna cluster initiative, development of tsunami-inundated lands for Brackishwater Aquaculture; and the ongoing implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).She also urged potential investors to actively explore and invest in these key areas of the fisheries sector to accelerate the Islands’ Blue Economy growth.
An interactive session followed the panel discussion, providing a platform for stakeholders to share insights and suggestions. An exhibition stall representing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands was also set up at the venue, showcasing the proposed layout of the Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder, Opportunities in Mariculture sector, sport fishing in A&N Islands etc.
Shipping: During the session on Shipping, the Secretary (Shipping), Ms. Purva Garg, IAS, outlined a series of ongoing and upcoming transformative maritime initiatives aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, highlighting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ central role in India’s eastern maritime frontier.
The Directorate of Shipping Services currently operates 66 vessels, carrying 7.5 million passengers and handling 2 million MT of cargo annually across harbour, inter-island, and mainland routes. Notably, 70% of short-route passenger movement is already managed by private operators, indicating potential for expanded private partnership in shipping services. International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay to serve as a high-capacity regional hub near the Malacca Strait. Deep-water port project at Atlanta Bay, Diglipur, identified for shipbuilding, ship repair and cargo operations with low infrastructure cost due to natural depth. Water Metro Project at Sri Vijaya Puram in collaboration with Kochi Water Metro is designed to improve urban-island water connectivity and reduce road congestion. Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) being implemented at Sri Vijaya Puram by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships for enhanced maritime safety.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are witnessing steady progress towards becoming a significant centre for cruise and yacht tourism in the region. With the development of world-class cruise infrastructure already underway, the Islands are well positioned to attract greater maritime tourism activity in the coming years.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Islands received an average of six international cruise calls annually. The resumption of operations has been encouraging, with four confirmed cruise calls scheduled during the upcoming tourist season from December 2025 to March 2026. This reflects renewed confidence among cruise operators and underscores the growing potential of the islands as a preferred cruise destination.
In alignment with India’s maritime vision for the Indo-Pacific region, the A&N Islands continue to attract yacht traffic as well. On an average, around 120 yachts transit through the Indo-Pacific region annually. Efforts are being made to develop facilities to support and expand this sector. In consultation with the Indian Coast Association, Sri Vijaya Puram (Mithakadi) has been identified as a potential site for a yacht marina. Similarly, Campbell Bay is also being considered by the Ministry for development into a marina facility to further promote yacht-based tourism.
In addition, an Expression of Interest (EOI) has been floated proposing new cruise circuit itineraries. These itineraries include eight islands and two anchorage ports that are presently unexplored and possess significant tourism potential. The initiative aims to facilitate responsible and sustainable tourism development while ensuring that the ecological sensitivities of these locations are maintained.
The continued development of cruise and yacht tourism infrastructure in the A&N Islands is expected to substantially enhance connectivity, generate employment opportunities, and position the islands as a key maritime tourism hub in the region.
Development of Identified Waterways: Eleven routes within the islands are being declared as National Waterways under the Inland Vessels Act 2021, facilitating multimodal logistics.
Skill Development & Digital Integration: A Centre of Excellence for Maritime Training is proposed to build local manpower capacity. Digital initiatives such as the Chennai–Andaman & Nicobar Submarine Cable and Digital Bharat Network will improve vessel operations and communications.
Shipbuilding & Repair Hub: The Islands aim to attract part of the estimated Rs. 70,000 crore national investment earmarked under the Ship Construction and Repair Mission, leveraging their strategic Indo-Pacific location.
The session reaffirmed Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ role as a strategic maritime gateway for India’s eastern seaboard and Indo-Pacific engagement.
The delegation emphasized continued collaboration with MoPSW, Cochin Shipyard Limited, and private stakeholders to realize the Maritime Amrit Vision 2047 objectives through sustainable shipping growth, infrastructure modernization, and employment generation.