India Sets Sail on Cruise Tourism Boom with Inauguration of Mumbai International Cruise Terminal

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates India’s largest cruise terminal at Mumbai’s Ballard Pier under ₹556 crore project

~ MICT to handle 1 million passengers annually, with capacity for 5 ships and 10,000 travellers daily

~ Key heritage restorations, green port initiatives, and electric shore power launched to boost sustainability

~ ₹5,700 crore MoUs signed for Vadhavan Port development, aiming to position it among top 10 global ports

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal today flagged off cruise operations from the newly inaugurated Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), India’s largest and most advanced cruise terminal, at Ballard Pier. The launch marks a key milestone under the Cruise Bharat Mission, aimed at transforming India into a global cruise tourism hub.

Spanning over 4.15 lakh sq. ft., MICT can handle 1 million passengers annually and up to 10,000 passengers per day. It is equipped to berth five cruise ships simultaneously, with parking for over 300 vehicles. Developed at a cost of ₹556 crore, the terminal blends maritime aesthetics with modern functionality, offering a seamless travel experience with 72 immigration counters, heritage-inspired architecture, and eco-friendly design features.

The Minister also inaugurated key heritage and green infrastructure projects, including the restored Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks, illuminated heritage buildings — Fort House and Evelyn House — and the rejuvenated Sagar Upvan garden in Colaba. As part of the Green Port Initiative, shore-to-ship electric supply for vessels was launched to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.

In a major infrastructure push, MoUs worth ₹5,700 crore were signed for strategic development at Vadhavan Port. Projects include development of terminals for bulk, liquid, and container cargo, and a tank farm with a 3 lakh CBM capacity. These developments align with the vision of transforming Vadhavan into one of the world’s top ten ports and a key enabler of India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” goal.

The Cruise Bharat Mission has laid out ambitious targets — including 10 international cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, 5 marinas, and over 5,000 km of navigable waterways. By 2029, the initiative aims to handle over 2.5 million cruise passengers and generate over 4 lakh jobs.

Since 2014, India’s maritime sector has witnessed a major surge: major port cargo increased by 53%, coastal cargo by 119%, inland water cargo by over 1800%, and cruise tourism saw a 454% rise in passenger numbers.

These developments collectively represent a leap forward in enhancing India’s maritime capabilities, sustainability efforts, and tourism infrastructure.