On Monday, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, flagged off cruise operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), India’s largest cruise terminal. The Minister also inaugurated several key initiatives, including the renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks, two heritage buildings — Fort House at Ballard Estate and Evelyn House at Colaba — and the Sagar Upvan Garden. Additionally, the Shore to Ship Electric Supply under the Green Port Initiative was launched.
MICT: India’s Largest World-Class Cruise Terminal
The Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), developed under the Cruise Bharat Mission, was constructed according to the latest global standards and is set to play a pioneering role in the development of cruise tourism in India. The terminal spans a built-up area of more than 4,15,000 square feet at Ballard Pier and is India’s largest world-class cruise terminal.
Equipped with 72 check-in and immigration counters spread over 2,07,000 square feet across the first two floors (G+1), the other two floors (2+3) are dedicated to commercial purposes. The MICT is designed to handle 1 million passengers annually, with approximately 10,000 passengers per day. The terminal is capable of accommodating five ships simultaneously, with an 11-meter draft and ships up to 300 meters in length. Additionally, more than 300 vehicles can be parked at the terminal at any given time.
Minister’s Remarks: A Vision for India’s Maritime Future
Speaking about the commencement of cruise services from MICT, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal remarked, “Mumbai has a rich maritime history that is integral to our civilization. As a coastal hub, it has served the nation handsomely with its bustling maritime business. It is only logical that we work towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global cruise hub through its state-of-the-art infrastructure.”
He further highlighted the ongoing development of world-class terminals in Visakhapatnam and Chennai, adding, “Today, Mumbai, with its longstanding reputation as a major maritime hub, commences cruise operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, providing passengers with modern amenities for a safer and more comfortable experience.”
A Modern Terminal with a Maritime Identity
The design of MICT reflects Mumbai’s maritime spirit, featuring a wavy ceiling, fluid architecture, and rose gold accents. The terminal combines modern design with a nod to the city’s maritime identity. With heritage-inspired entries, sleek interiors, wave-like seating, selfie points, and maritime plaques, MICT offers a serene yet vibrant gateway to India’s emerging cruise tourism hub. The terminal’s total investment amounted to Rs 556 crores.
Cruise Bharat Mission: A Vision for India’s Maritime Transformation
Elaborating on the vision behind the Cruise Bharat Mission, the Union Minister stated, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for port-led prosperity has redefined our maritime ambitions. The Cruise Bharat Mission aims to make India one of the top cruise destinations in the world by focusing on three pillars: Ocean & Harbour Cruises, River and Inland Cruises, and Island & Lighthouse Cruises. This comprehensive strategy integrates digital ease, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships, marking the beginning of India’s cruise awakening.”
Reviving Heritage & Supporting Sustainability Initiatives
In addition to the launch of MICT, the Union Minister inaugurated the renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks, paying tribute to the Mumbai Port Fire Services personnel for their distinguished service. The memorial features a “Golden Tears” theme, representing a tragic event in the area.
To further promote heritage and tourism, façade lighting was unveiled at two iconic heritage buildings of the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA)—Port House at Ballard Estate and Evelyn House at Colaba—adding to the aesthetic and historical appeal of the city.
In a major step for environmental sustainability, the Shore to Ship Electric Supply under the Green Port Initiative was introduced. This will reduce emissions and noise pollution by providing shore-based electric power to tugboats and Coast Guard vessels.
Furthermore, the rejuvenated Sagar Upvan Garden at Colaba was inaugurated. With support from Tata Trusts, the garden features more than 500 plant varieties and offers scenic views of the Arabian Sea and Sassoon Docks. The extensive repairs and enhancements, including the installation of a 25,000 KLD Sewage Treatment Plant, make it an ideal space for jogging, walking, and botanical education.
Infrastructure Development at Vadhavan Port
The Union Minister also attended an MoU signing ceremony for infrastructure projects worth over Rs 5,700 crores at Vadhavan Port. The signed agreements include the development of a container, bulk, and liquid cargo terminal with a Rs 4,200 crore investment, a dedicated bulk and liquid cargo terminal for Rs 1,000 crores, and a liquid cargo jetty with a 3,00,000 CBM tank farm for Rs 500 crores.
Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Sonowal said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given us a vision to transform Vadhavan Port into one of the top 10 global ports. This greenfield, all-weather port is set to increase India’s maritime capacity by more than three times and will serve as a growth multiplier for India’s maritime sector and regional trade.”
Promoting Sustainable Mobility & Green Initiatives
As part of the sustainable mobility push, the port also inaugurated new fuel dispensing infrastructure, including two HSD units, one gasoline unit, and a fast electric vehicle (EV) charger. Additionally, key land assets were formally handed over to various entities, including a plot at Malet Bundar for JNPA’s corporate building and a plot at Reay Road to the Hare Krishna Mission for social and community activities.
Ambitious Goals of the Cruise Bharat Mission
The Cruise Bharat Mission has set ambitious targets for the future, including the development of 10 international sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and five marinas along India’s coast. The mission aims to seamlessly integrate over 5,000 km of waterways and attract 1 million sea cruise passengers and 1.5 million river cruise passengers by 2029. It is also expected to create over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs across the cruise value chain.
Since 2014, the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has overseen the transformation of India’s maritime sector. The cargo handled at major ports surged from 556 MMT in 2014 to 854 MMT in 2024-25, while coastal cargo grew by 119%. The inland water cargo rose from 6.89 MMT to 133 MMT, a leap of over 1,800%. Furthermore, the number of cruise passengers has increased from 85,000 in 2014 to 4.71 lakh today, a phenomenal growth of 454%.
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