Galveston's Port Transformation Old Warehouse to Become New Cruise Terminal

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.

A Catalyst for Local Prosperity

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.