Mumbai: The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) led by Central Minister of Ports, Shipping & Warerways has completed the construction of first international cruise terminal on the eastern waterfront in Mumbai. The official inauguration of the terminal, located in South Mumbai’s Mazgoan, is scheduled on Monday April 21st.
The cruise terminal has been built over an area of 400,000 square feet. The terminal will be capable of handling 500 cruise ships and up to 1 million passengers annually. The government has developed this terminal with a plan to attract both domestic and international tourists.
In recent years, the number of international cruises arriving in Mumbai has increased. Currently, around 50 international cruise ships dock in Mumbai each year, along with hundreds of domestic cruises. With the new International terminal operational, a significant rise in cruise arrivals in Mumbai is expected.
Three-Storey International Cruise Terminal:
To promote water transport, a ground-plus-three-storied terminal has been constructed. The ground and first floors will be used to handle passengers, while the second and third floors will be leased out. Out of the 400,000 square feet, about 200,000 square feet will be used for commercial purposes, with a plan to recover the investment over 15 to 20 years. The terminal will be operated by a private operator appointed by MbPT. Passenger counters, customs, immigration, and other offices have been set up inside the terminal.
Revenue Model:
MbPA has signed a 30-year agreement with the operator managing the terminal. The operator has deposited Rs 30 crore as a security deposit, and will pay an annual rent of Rs 5 crore, with a 5% increase each year. The construction cost of the terminal is around Rs 300 crore.
As per data, around 300,000 Indians travel by cruise each year. Until now, Indian tourists had to go abroad to enjoy cruise travel, but with this terminal in Mumbai, people will now be able to explore international destinations via sea from Mumbai.
According to the MbPA the goal is to increase the number of foreign tourists in MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) by four times. The cruise terminal will play a crucial role in attracting both domestic and international tourists to Mumbai.
