Fourth Cruise Terminal Begins Construction in Port of Galveston

Construction has begun at the Port of Galveston to convert a cargo warehouse into the port's fourth cruise terminal, a $151 million project set to open in November 2025. The new terminal, located at Pier 16, will include a 165,000-square-foot facility and a $55 million parking garage, and will become the home port for the MSC Seascape.

A ceremony on August 20 marked the construction start, attended by executives from MSC Cruises, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and local officials. The terminal is expected to boost the port's annual passenger traffic to over 2 million by 2026, creating 925 jobs and generating $177 million in local business revenue each year.

MSC Cruises, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is the world’s third-largest cruise line, with a fleet of 22 ships and plans for expansion. The company operates globally, offering cruises to more than 300 destinations across five continents.

The Port of Galveston has seen significant growth in its cruise line operations in recent years and is the fourth most popular cruise home port in the U.S. Cruises now account for approximately 60 percent of the port’s annual revenues, reflecting the port's transformation into a major cruise destination. In addition to its cruise operations, the port manages a variety of cargo facilities on the Galveston Harbor, one of the top 50 busiest U.S. cargo waterways.