Mumbai: In a landmark moment for India’s maritime and tourism sectors, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, today flagged off cruise operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), the country’s largest and most modern cruise terminal. Developed under the ambitious Cruise Bharat Mission, the terminal was inaugurated at Ballard Pier in Mumbai, reaffirming the city’s status as the nation’s leading maritime gateway.
Spread across more than 4.15 lakh square feet, the state-of-the-art MICT has been built to global standards and is designed to accommodate one million passengers annually. With facilities to handle up to 10,000 passengers per day and five ships simultaneously, the terminal is a testament to the government’s vision of making India a global cruise tourism hub. It features 72 check-in and immigration counters across two passenger-dedicated floors, while two upper floors have been earmarked for commercial use. With a draft of 11 meters and berthing length of up to 300 meters, the terminal can serve some of the world’s largest cruise liners. A parking facility for over 300 vehicles further enhances passenger convenience.
Speaking at the launch, Sonowal said that Mumbai’s rich maritime heritage has always played a pivotal role in India’s coastal economy. The new terminal, he said, is a significant step in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming Bharat into a global cruise hub with modern and sustainable infrastructure. Highlighting similar international terminals in Visakhapatnam and Chennai, the Minister said Mumbai is now well-positioned to become a central player in the international cruise circuit.
Designed with a flowing, wave-like ceiling that captures Mumbai’s maritime spirit, MICT combines modern minimalism with heritage motifs. Rose gold accents, heritage-inspired entrances, wave-shaped seating, and carefully curated maritime plaques offer passengers a vibrant yet serene experience. With a total investment of ₹556 crores, the project is a key pillar of the Cruise Bharat Mission, which aims to reshape India’s cruise landscape.
The Union Minister also inaugurated several key heritage and green infrastructure projects during his visit. At the Victoria Docks, he unveiled the renovated Fire Memorial, a poignant tribute to the Mumbai Port Fire Services personnel. The memorial, themed “Golden Tears,” honors the tragic incident where golden bricks rained down following a devastating fire. To further promote Mumbai’s rich maritime legacy, façade lighting was launched at two historic port buildings—Fort House at Ballard Estate and Evelyn House at Colaba—enhancing their visual and cultural appeal.
In line with India’s commitment to environmental sustainability, onowal inaugurated the Shore to Ship Electric Supply system at Mumbai Port. This new facility will allow Coast Guard vessels and tug boats to receive electricity directly from shore, thereby reducing emissions, noise, and operational costs. The move is a part of the Green Port Initiative and underscores the port authority’s dedication to sustainable practices.
Another highlight of the day was the inauguration of the rejuvenated Sagar Upvan Garden at Colaba. Restored with the support of Tata Trusts, the garden features lush green lawns, over 500 plant species, sea-facing benches, and jogging paths. It also houses a 25,000 KLD sewage treatment plant. Overlooking the Arabian Sea and Sassoon Docks, Sagar Upvan is now a peaceful retreat for residents, nature lovers, and botany students alike.
Later in the day, the Union Minister attended the signing of Memorandums of Understanding for infrastructure development at Vadhavan Port, with total investments exceeding ₹5,700 crores. The agreements include the development of a terminal for container, bulk, and liquid cargo with an investment of ₹4,200 crores, a dedicated terminal for bulk and liquid cargo worth ₹1,000 crores, and a liquid cargo jetty and tank farm with a capacity of 3,00,000 CBM for liquefied chemicals at an investment of ₹500 crores.
Addressing the gathering at the MoU ceremony, Sonowal said the Vadhavan Port project is poised to be a game changer for India’s maritime sector and could potentially triple the country’s port capacity. He reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making Vadhavan one of the world’s top 10 ports and described it as a vital driver for India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
In support of sustainable mobility, fuel dispensing infrastructure including two high-speed diesel units, one gasoline unit, and a fast electric vehicle charger was inaugurated at the port. The event also saw the formal handover of strategic land assets. A plot at Malet Bunder was transferred to JNPA for its corporate headquarters, while another at Reay Road was handed over to the Hare Krishna Mission for community initiatives. Additionally, the E Shed at Mumbai Port was given to Ruchi India Logistics to support logistics operations.
Union Minister of State for MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur, who also attended the event, lauded the day’s developments as transformative for India’s maritime economy. He stated that the restoration of heritage buildings, the push for cruise tourism, and the focus on sustainability reflect the government’s holistic vision of a cleaner, greener, and globally integrated maritime future.
The Cruise Bharat Mission, under which the MICT was developed, aims to establish 10 international sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and 5 coastal marinas. It envisions integrating more than 5,000 kilometers of waterways and attracting 1 million sea cruise passengers and 1.5 million river cruise passengers annually by 2029. The initiative is expected to create over 4 lakh jobs across the cruise value chain.
India’s maritime sector has seen unprecedented growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Cargo handled at major ports increased from 556 MMT in 2014 to 854 MMT in 2024-25. Coastal cargo witnessed a 119% jump, while inland water cargo skyrocketed from 6.89 MMT to 133 MMT, a staggering 1800% rise. Cruise passenger traffic also soared from 85,000 in 2014 to 4.71 lakh in 2024, registering a growth of 454%.
Dignitaries present at the event included Shantanu Thakur, MoS MoPSW; Susil Kumar Singh (IRSME), Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority; Adesh Titarmare (IAS), Deputy Chairman, MbPA; Unmesh Sharad Wagh (IRS), Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority; and Dhruv Kotak, Managing Director of J.M. Baxi, among senior officials and stakeholders.
