MUMBAI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- India's Mumbai Port expects 150 international cruise vessels to call at its terminal this year and 300 cruise vessels are lined up next year, said its chairman Sanjay Bhatia on Thursday.

Last year, 48 cruise vessels called at the port, he said while addressing an industry event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

"The Mumbai port is shifting towards development of Sea tourism and Sea water transportation," Bhatia said, adding that domestic cruises have also started operations.

The port, based on India's west coast in the state of Maharashtra, has reduced the load capacity to 60 million tons of cargo per day and is promoting sea tourism by redeveloping its land around the port into world-class tourist hub.

"7-8 hectares of land around the port will be open for real estate development with world class restaurants, ports and harbors. A 1-km Eastern waterfront is under development with all modern amenities to handle capacity of 300 yachts," he said.