Landmark Day for Cruise Tourism at Chennai Port
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
Marking one of the largest cruise passenger operations ever handled at the port, the Chennai Port Authority successfully welcomed Cordelia Cruises’ M.V. Empress on 20 June 2026.
Sachin Kurve, IAS, Chairperson, ChPA, and S. Vishwanathan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson, along with officials from the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), welcomed the vessel at the port’s Cruise Terminal.
Around 1,800 tourists disembarked from the vessel in the morning. In the evening, about 1,800 tourists embarked for their cruise.
Passengers from the vessel experienced the exceptional comforts of Chennai Port’s newly modernized premium international cruise passenger terminal located at West Quay (WQIV). Sprawling over 4,103 sq.m, this premium facility is built to international standards with an emphasis on seamless passenger flow of 800 passengers per hour. Key features include — Full heat ventilation and central air-conditioning (HVAC), Integrated customs and multi-counter immigration zones for rapid single-window clearances, advanced high-end security systems, including high-tech baggage scanners, and modern passenger lounges, escalators on both eastern and western sides for convenient embarkation/disembarkation, and a cafeteria.
According to officials, in a monumental single-day operation, Chennai Port handled a record-breaking 3,600 passengers at full capacity, seamlessly managing 1,800 disembarking travellers and 1,800 newly embarking passengers for the M.V. Empress.
The docking of the M.V. Empress at Chennai Port also officially launched an extensive cruise season. The vessel will operate 21 voyages over a three-month period from June to August 2026, firmly establishing Chennai Port as the premier gateway to Southeast India.
After greeting the arriving passengers, Sachin Kurve and S. Vishwanathan, along with TTDC officials, went onboard the vessel to greet its Captain, Vitaliy Brylko.
In a candid conversation, Captain Vitaliy Brylko briefed the senior port officials about Cordelia Cruises’ West Coast circuits and their plans for new domestic and international circuits originating from Chennai in the future.
Speaking about the port authority’s consistent efforts to position Chennai as a home port for all major players in the cruise industry, Sachin Kurve stated, “Chennai Port is ready to go the extra mile to establish ChPA as the gateway of cruise tourism in the region.”
Speaking to Port Wings, a senior official from Cordelia Cruises said the company is planning to base its new vessel, Cordelia Sky, expected to join the fleet in the coming months, at Chennai Port for regular domestic and international operations from 2027.
“Besides regular domestic circuits and Sri Lanka trips, we have exclusive plans for Singapore too, which will offer one of the best cruise experiences for our guests,” the official added.
Chennai Port continues to serve as a crucial homeport, connecting South India with prominent international and domestic coastal destinations. In its upcoming schedules, the Cordelia vessel will expand maritime horizons to elite international destinations, including Hambantota (Galle), Trincomalee, and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka. In addition to these international ports of call, the cruise itinerary also features key domestic coastal destinations such as Visakhapatnam and Puducherry.
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