Case study of Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier

Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier – Mumbai’s Maritime Marvel

On April 21, 2025, Mumbai unveiled its stunning new Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier, a game-changer hailed as India’s grandest and most advanced gateway to the seas. This terminal, spanning an impressive 415,000 square feet,  is built to welcome up to one million passengers annually.

With 72 check-in counters, 22 elevators, and space to dock five mega-ships at once, it’s a powerhouse of efficiency, a testament to India’s engineering prowess and maritime ambition.

But MICT isn’t just about moving people – it’s about creating moments. Picture this: sea-view cafés where you can unwind, retail promenades for a quick shop, and architecture that echoes the rhythm of the waves.

Waiting here feels less like a chore and more like part of the adventure. Plus, thanks to shore-power hookups under the Green Port Initiative, emissions are slashed while you enjoy your coffee. This is world-class infrastructure at its finest, and it called for concrete that could withstand the toughest conditions.

 

Why Corrosion Defence Was Crucial for Mumbai International Cruise Terminal

Living by the coast has its charm, but it’s a nightmare for steel. Salt air wages relentless war on structures, with chloride ions sneaking into concrete and gnawing at the reinforcing bars – rebars, as we call them.

The result? Rust that cracks the concrete and threatens safety. Then there’s carbonation, a sneaky process that drops the concrete’s pH over time, speeding up the damage.

At MICT, the challenge was even bigger. The piles and piers sit right in the tidal zones, where corrosion thrives.

The engineers knew they needed something challenging – a solution that could sink deep into the concrete, shield the steel from every angle, and still keep the mix strong and easy to work with. This called for innovative thinking and cutting-edge solutions.

How Sunanda Global Secured the Contract

The team behind MICT didn’t leave anything to chance. They pored over white papers, studied real-world examples from marine projects, and picked the brains of concrete chemistry experts.

One name kept coming up: Sunanda Global. Our corrosion-inhibiting admixture stood out in research journals, industry talks, and battle-tested field reports.

In the lab, we demonstrated how our product protects steel at both the anode and cathode sites, essentially creating a double-layered shield.

Data from our past projects, including half-cell potential readings and chloride tests, proved its effectiveness. This wasn’t just talk – our product was the real deal.

The decision was unanimous: they chose Sunanda Global to supply the tender.

Seamless Integration On-Site

We hit the ground running, partnering with the ready-mix concrete supplier from day one.

At the batching plant, our admixture slipped into the mix like it was meant to be there – no fuss, no delays. The trucks rolled out with everything perfectly blended and ready to perform.

On-site, it was smooth sailing. The concrete hit all the right marks for slump and setting time, and the crew didn’t notice a thing different about how it was handled or finished.

Once it cured, tiny molecules in our admixture wrapped every rebar in a protective layer – an invisible barrier locking out salt and carbonation.

Demonstrated Durability and Corrosion Resistance

So, what did we get? Rock-solid results. There was no rust, no tiny cracks, nothing. Tests like half-cell potential readings showed the steel was completely passive – corrosion wasn’t even a whisper.

Chloride tests backed it up, showing almost no penetration compared to untreated samples.

Our admixture did precisely what we said it would do for the MICT project – deep protection, total coverage, no extra hassle, and no surprises.

Conclusion: Safeguarding Coastal Infrastructure for the Future

Today, the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal stands tall, ready to serve for decades, thanks to Sunanda Global’s corrosion-inhibiting admixture. This admixture is your go-to fix if you’re building near the sea or anywhere chloride’s a threat.

It stretches the life of your structures, cuts down on upkeep, and keeps your investment safe.

Corrosion? Let it be someone else’s headache.

“Build once. Build wisely. Build to endure.”