Construction is underway at the Port
of Galveston to convert a cargo warehouse into a fourth cruise terminal.
The $151 million cruise complex at Pier 16 will include a
165,000-square-foot terminal and a $55 million parking garage. When it opens in
November 2025, the terminal will be home to MSC
Seascape. ?
In celebration of the construction start, a ceremony on August
20, 2024, at Pier 16 was attended by executives from MSC Cruises and the Cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA), elected officials, community leaders
and other port partners.
During the ceremony, Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port
director and CEO, and Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises U.S. chairman, drew back a
curtain to debut a large-scale rendering of the terminal complex with MSC
Seascape docked alongside to applause from the crowd.
Rees said in a statement, ¡°We have so much to celebrate
today with this milestone and what it means to our community, cruise guests and
port partners. This beautiful new terminal will generate jobs and economic
growth for the region, an exciting new cruise choice for our market, and growth
opportunities for our port partners.
¡°We also want to take this opportunity to give a warm,
Texas-sized welcome to MSC Cruises, the world¡¯s third-largest cruise line,¡± he
added. ¡°Having a cruise line of this stature homeporting in Galveston says a
great deal about our position in the U.S. and global cruise markets.¡±
With the opening of the fourth terminal, Rees expects the
port to see more than two million passengers a year, representing a new
milestone in Galveston¡¯s 24 years as a cruise home port.
In his statement, Sasso said ¡°The groundbreaking for Cruise
Terminal 16 marks a significant milestone in MSC Cruises¡¯ ongoing U.S.
expansion. Adding Galveston as our fourth homeport will make it even easier for
travelers from the central and western parts of the country to enjoy our distinctive
mix of European style and American comfort.
He added, ¡°This state-of-the-art terminal will set the tone
for a memorable cruise experience. We are thrilled to work closely with the
Galveston Wharves to shape the future of cruising in Texas, delivering
extraordinary vacations and unforgettable moments aboard the beautiful and
modern MSC Seascape.¡±
During the groundbreaking ceremony, U.S. Congressman Randy
Weber told the crowd, ¡°I¡¯m thrilled about the groundbreaking of our fourth
cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston. This kind of investment is a
game-changer for our community, and it¡¯s all thanks to Rodger Rees. His
leadership is putting Galveston on the map as a top cruise destination and
keeping our port bustling with activity. I will continue to fight for our ports
in Congress to ensure they get the support they deserve.¡±
Regional economic advantages of the new terminal include an
additional 925 jobs and $177 million in local business revenue annually. In
addition, the City of Galveston will benefit from passenger fees and tax
revenues from cruise parking.
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