Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Galveston’s maritime gateway is set for a significant upgrade as construction kicks off at the Port of Galveston to convert an old cargo warehouse into the port’s fourth cruise terminal. The ambitious $151 million development at Pier 16 will encompass a sprawling 165,000-square-foot terminal and a $55 million parking facility. Slated for completion in November 2025, this state-of-the-art terminal is poised to become the new home for the MSC Seascape, enhancing the port’s capacity and bolstering its role in the cruise industry.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on August 20 at Pier 16, saw key figures from MSC Cruises and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), along with elected officials, community leaders, and port partners, come together to celebrate the start of construction. Highlights included a presentation by Rodger Rees, CEO and port director of Galveston Wharves, and Rick Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises U.S.
, who unveiled a large-scale rendering of the upcoming terminal complex with the MSC Seascape docked at its side, garnering applause from an audience of over 100 attendees. Rees said, “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. 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.” Rees expressed optimism during the event, forecasting that the new terminal would help push the port’s annual passenger numbers past 2 million starting in 2026—a significant achievement for Galveston, marking its 24th year as a cruise home port. Meanwhile, Sasso emphasized the strategic importance of the new terminal in MSC Cruises’ U.
S. expansion efforts, noting that the addition of Galveston as a homeport would enhance accessibility for travelers from central and western parts of the country, blending European flair with American comfort. “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 .” **”A Catalyst for Local Prosperity”** During the groundbreaking ceremony for the Port of Galveston’s fourth cruise terminal, U.S.
Congressman Randy Weber expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m thrilled about the launch of our fourth cruise terminal here at the Port of Galveston. This investment is transformative for our community, and it’s largely due to the visionary leadership of Rodger Rees. His efforts are establishing Galveston as a premier cruise destination and ensuring our port remains vibrant with activity.
I will continue to advocate for our ports in Congress to secure the support they rightfully deserve.” **Boosting Regional Economy** The economic impact of the port’s cruise activities in 2022 included supporting 3,500 jobs, generating $568 million in local business revenue, and contributing $73.5 million in local purchases by passengers and crew.
The addition of the new cruise terminal is expected to create an extra 925 jobs and bring in an additional $177 million in local business revenue each year. Furthermore, the city of Galveston stands to gain directly from passenger fees and sales tax revenues generated from cruise parking..
