MSC to fund, build and operate one or two PortMiami cruise terminals

Also at its expense, MSC would build and operate the associated berths, parking garages, a maritime office component, provisioning facilities and marine and other infrastructure.

Completion is planned for November 2022.

Land designated for terminals AA and AAA

To accommodate MSC Cruises’ expansion, the county and cruise line plan to negotiate the economic and other details of a long-term terminal development and use agreement for land designated for terminals AA and AAA. These would be located east of Royal Caribbean's newly opened Terminal A, currently the easternmost cruise facility at the port.

This expands on a memorandum of understanding signed in July. It had envisioned a terminal for one 7,000-passenger ship. The new agreement considers space for two such vessels.

'Incredible opportunity'

Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who traveled to MSC headquarters in Geneva for the signing, called the plans an 'incredible opportunity' for Miami-Dade County. He added: 'I’m proud and grateful for MSC’s business expansion ... This public-private partnership represents growth and prosperity for the South Florida community.'

The agreement provides a 'blueprint for the further expansion of the cruise operation at the world’s leading cruise port,' said Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group’s executive chairman. It will 'allow us to attract to Miami even more MSC Cruises’ guests coming from more than 170 countries.'

200,000gt World Class ships

MSC Cruises fields 15 ships, with another 14 scheduled for delivery through 2027. These include the 200,000gt World Class newbuilds, with capacity for up to 7,000 passengers. The first is scheduled for delivery in 2022.

The line currently sails three ships from Terminal F: MSC Seaside, MSC Armonia and MSC Divina. MSC Meraviglia is scheduled to join the lineup next year.

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