On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped into the spotlight at Indira Dock to inaugurate the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), a project many in the shipping world have been waiting on for years. It has been touted as a turning point for India’s maritime tourism sector, and the scale alone makes the claim hard to dismiss.
Inside The Mumbai International Cruise Terminal
India’s maritime sector got a major upgrade as the Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects worth over ₹8,000 crore.
Major highlights include the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, new container facilities at Kolkata and Paradip… pic.twitter.com/ob6kjVJdMH
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) September 20, 2025
MICT is the crown jewel of the Cruise Bharat Mission, an initiative meant to bring India’s cruise infrastructure into the global league. According to India TV News, the terminal spreads across a sprawling 415,000 square feet.
The design team leaned heavily on the sea for inspiration. Step inside, and the ceiling undulates with wave-like patterns, blue benches sit neatly across the hall, and bursts of orange and red chairs break the visual monotony. The lobbies glow under mood lighting, softening the terminal’s vast scale into something more welcoming. Outside, a giant LED screen dominates the façade, a reminder that this isn’t a sleepy port building but a statement of modern architecture.
Developed under the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ at an investment of ₹556 crore, the terminal hosts 72 check-in and immigration counters, 22 lifts, and 10 escalators, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for travellers. Additionally, it offers parking facilities for up to 300 vehicles, catering to both passengers and visitors.
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Wave-Inspired Design and Modern Facilities: All You Need To Know
Mumbai International Cruise Terminal
India’s largest to be inaugurated (again) by PM Modi tomorrow
(PS- This cruise terminal is operational and many cruise liners operate from here eg Cordelia) pic.twitter.com/SOtGf7ZsZk
— Amey Kulkarni 🇮🇳 (@AmeyKulkarni_21) September 19, 2025
The terminal can berth five cruise ships at once, enough to handle millions of passengers a year. Travellers won’t be stuck in endless queues either; 72 immigration counters have been installed to keep movement brisk. A dedicated parking bay for 300 vehicles has been carved out, too, making arrivals and departures far less chaotic for families.
For officials in Delhi and Mumbai, this isn’t just another piece of infrastructure; it’s a calculated move to reposition India as a cruise tourism contender. A senior official at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal is more than just a port facility; it represents India’s commitment to building a sustainable and globally competitive cruise ecosystem, as stated by India TV News.
India finally wants to be on the route maps of the big international cruise liners, while also giving domestic travellers a taste of sea-borne luxury. MICT is meant to do both: serve as the front door for foreign tourists and a playground for Indians looking to explore leisure cruising.
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When PM Narendra Modi cut the ribbon, the headlines were about the sheer size and sheen of the place. But the real test begins afterwards: whether this terminal can transform Mumbai into a true global cruise hub that it so passionately desires to do.
Cover Image Courtesy: ameykulkarni_21/X
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