Mumbai has inaugurated a new cruise terminal, the largest of its kind in India, near the city’s Colaba district, as India looks to position itself as a major cruise destination. 

Designed to transform Mumbai into a major international cruise hub, the terminal covers 415,000 square feet, and is capable of handling more than one million guests annually, with a daily capacity of up to 15,000 passengers. 

The infrastructure includes 72 check-in and immigration counters and a dedicated pier able to accommodate up to five cruise ships of 300 metres in length.

The $60 million project was developed under a 30-year concession agreement between Ballard Pier Port Pvt Ltd and JM Baxi and Co. The facility’s location gives passengers direct access to some of Mumbai’s most recognisable landmarks, while the development is positioned as a key step in promoting India as a cruise destination.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighted Mumbai’s long maritime history at the opening ceremony. “The maritime history of Mumbai is rich and an integral part of our civilisation. As a coastal hub, it has served the nation handsomely with its bustling coastal business,” he said.

The terminal forms part of the government’s Cruise Bharat Mission, an initiative aimed at positioning India as a global cruise market. Authorities expect the terminal to play a central role in boosting both inbound tourism and domestic cruising.

A number of luxury and premium operators are scheduled to call at Mumbai beginning in November, including vessels from Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania Cruises.

Domestic operator Cordelia Cruises is also set to remain a regular presence at the terminal with its ship Empress, which sails roundtrip cruises from Mumbai annually. The cruise line has announced plans to expand its fleet with two additional vessels entering service from 2026, further strengthening its operations in the Indian market.

With the new terminal now operational, Mumbai is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the regional and international cruise market, offering improved facilities for both global operators and local lines.