Heritage River Journeys is doubling down on the Brahmaputra. The Kolkata-based company behind Antara Cruises has placed a repeat order with Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (Hooghly-CSL) for two luxury river cruise vessels of 40 suites each. The contract is valued at approximately ₹250–300 crore.

The contract was signed at Sagarmanthan in New Delhi in the presence of Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Founder Raj Singh and Chief Operating Officer Vineet Arora represented Heritage River Journeys. Hooghly-CSL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited.

Part of a ₹500 crore pledge

The order follows a commitment Singh made to Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota in July 2026 to invest ₹500 crore in the Brahmaputra. It also comes after an earlier vessel order the company placed in June 2025. The two new ships are scheduled for delivery in June 2029 and June 2030 respectively, and both will sail on the Brahmaputra.

Eighteen years on India's rivers

Heritage River Journeys launched Bengal Ganga in 2008 under the Antara Cruises banner, which made it an early mover in Indian luxury river cruising. Antara's fleet now includes Bengal Ganga, Ganges Voyager I, Ganges Voyager II and Ganga Vilas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the landmark Ganga Vilas itinerary. The company has also moved into private luxury and wildlife experiences, with Nauka Vilas on the Hooghly and four luxury catamaran yachts in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha.

The company says purpose-built vessels like these can support hospitality, local employment and destination development along India's inland waterways.

Images: courtesy of Heritage River Journeys / Antara Cruises