Last year, 37 ships with international tourists had sailed in. Similarly, in 2014-15 season, a total of 40 passenger liners had sailed in with foreign tourists.
After the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) changed its policy of giving priority to cargo vessels over passenger cruise liners, there has been a spurt in the number luxurious ships entering the city. This number is expected to increase even more in the coming years, and to make arrangements accordingly, the MbPT has embarked upon a grand project to modernise the passenger terminal in the Ballard Pier area.
The total number of ships that will sail in during the coming tourist season has almost doubled, as compared to previous years. The tourist season for passenger ships is from mid-October to mid-May. For the tourist season of 2016-17, 59 ships will berth at Ballard Pier.
Last year, 37 ships with international tourists had sailed in. Similarly, in 2014-15 season, a total of 40 passenger liners had sailed in with foreign tourists.
In May this year, MbPT had eased its rules by giving priority to international passenger cruises over cargo vessels to berth at Mumbai docks.
One of the ships that will sail in – Genting Dream – is among the biggest cruise liner ships in the world in terms of passenger capacity. The vessel, which is still under construction, will have a maximum capacity of 4,500 passengers. From Mumbai, Genting Dream will sail to Colombo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City and Hainan.
"We have also initiated a passenger terminal modernisation plan, wherein the terminal capacity and size will be increased by six times the existing space," said a senior MbPT official.
The port authorities have appointed a consultant to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and blueprint of the modernisation plan, which is expected to be ready in the next couple of months. At present, the passenger terminal is spread over 3,500-4,000sqm, which will be increased to around 20,000sqm.
"During the tourist season, cruise liner passengers will get leisure and entertainment facilities at the water front. During the rest of the year, Mumbaikars will get to enjoy the water front facilities, where there will be retail outlets as well as restaurants, art galleries, recreational zones, among other things. There may be a nominal fee levied to enter the terminal," said the official.
It is expected that in the next two years, the modernised passenger terminal will be opened for operations.
PASSENGER CRUISE LINERS IN MUMBAI
Tourism season (mid-October to mid-May)
2016-17:
Port of call: 44
Turnaround operation: 15
2015-16:
Port of call: 30
Turnaround operation: 7
2014-15:
Port of call: 34
Turnaround operation: 6
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