India’s largest International Cruise Terminal launched in Mumbai

India’s largest international cruise terminal in Mumbai commenced its operation recently with the flagging of a cruise ship by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbanand Sonowal.

 Among all the International cruise terminals in India, the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) is the largest. 

The international cruise terminals currently in operation at major ports in India are: New Mangalore Port in Karnataka, Cochin Port in Kerala, Mumbai Port in Maharashtra, Mormugao Port in Goa, Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh and Chennai Port in Tamil Nadu.

Later, Sarbanand Sonowal also attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of Infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 5,700 crores at the greenfield Vadhavan Port. 

About the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal 

The Mumbai International Cruise Terminal has been developed under the Cruise Bharat Mission of the Government of India.

• The Terminal has been developed at the Ballard Pier of the Mumbai Port. 
• It has been built on an area of 4,15,000 square feet. 
• Check-in and immigration counters have been built in the terminal for the benefit of international tourists.
• The Terminal can handle 10,000 passengers per day and around 10 lakh passengers every year.
• It can handle five ships daily.

About Cruise Bharat Mission

The Government of India launched the Cruise Bharat Mission on 30 September  2024, at the Mumbai port. It was launched by Sarbananda Sonowal onboard the cruise ship ‘Empress’ in Mumbai.

Aim

• To promote India as an international cruise tourism destination and attract 10 lakh tourists per year by 2029.

Mission to be implemented in three Phases 

• First Phase - From 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025
• Second Phase- From 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2027
• Third Phase- From 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029.

Three Cruise segments under the Cruise India Mission 

Ocean and Harbour Cruise 

• It will promote ocean cruises, including deep-sea and coastal cruises, as well as harbour-based yachting and sailing cruises.

Inland Cruise 

• It will focus on cruises within mainland India, such as river and inland cruises on canals, backwaters, creeks, and lakes.

Island Cruise 

• It will focus on promoting cruises between islands, tourism in lighthouses, on-board experiences, expedition cruises, and boutique cruises to lesser-known destinations.

Vadhavan Port

• India’s largest deep-draft port is being developed at Vadhavan in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. 
• It is an all-weather greenfield port, which, when completed, will be among the world’s top 10 ports.
• The port is being developed to tap into international trade, which is likely to be generated through the completion of the proposed IMEEC (India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor) and INSTC (International North-South Transportation Corridor). 

Also Read: 

Cabinet green signals a greenfield major port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra