India’s Largest Cruise Terminal Inaugurated at Mumbai Port
India is making significant strides in its ambition to become a prominent global cruise tourism destination with the unveiling of the country’s largest terminal at Mumbai Port. The Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), a project that has been in the works for eight years with an investment of ?556 crores ($67 million), has commenced operations. This development is poised to bolster India’s efforts to elevate its standing in the cruise tourism sector.
Despite facing challenges such as funding constraints and pandemic-induced delays, MICT’s inauguration marks a crucial milestone in India’s endeavor to attract top cruise lines and drive the growth of cruise tourism. Currently, India’s cruise tourism market is valued at just $100 million, representing a mere one percent of the global market.
Constructed through a public-private partnership, MICT aims to redefine the narrative for India. Spanning over 415,000 square feet at Ballard Pier, the terminal is the largest in the country. It is designed to accommodate over one million passengers annually, translating to approximately 10,000 passengers per day. MICT has the capacity to handle up to five cruise ships simultaneously, with a draft of 11 meters and a length of up to 300 meters.
The Mumbai Ports Authority (MbPA) has signed a 30-year concession with private entities Ballard Pier Port Private Limited and J M Baxi & Co to operate the terminal. Currently, Cordelia Cruises is the sole operator at the new terminal, with its cruise ship, the Empress, sailing twice-weekly. The line is in the process of expanding its fleet through an agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line to assume operations of two older ships by 2026 and 2027. India also serves as a stopover port for cruise ships transiting the region.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, hailed the inauguration of MICT as a significant step towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of establishing India as a global cruise hub with cutting-edge infrastructure. The vision entails leveraging the country’s extensive coastline and inland waterways to foster a thriving international and domestic cruise tourism industry.
Last September, the Indian government launched the Cruise Bharat Mission to oversee the industry’s transformation, setting ambitious targets that include developing 10 international sea cruise terminals, establishing 100 river cruise terminals, launching five marinas, and integrating over 5,000 km of waterways. The ultimate objective is to double cruise passenger traffic to over one million and accommodate 1.5 million river cruise passengers by 2029, leading to the creation of more than 400,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“Today, Mumbai, with its longstanding maritime heritage, initiated cruise operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, offering passengers modern amenities for a superior and safer experience,” remarked Sonowal.
In addition to its sustainability features, MICT also unveiled a shore power facility at Mumbai port as part of its green port initiative. Initially accessible to MbPA tugboats and Coast Guard vessels, the facility is expected to expand to include cruise ships in the future.