Port of Galveston ceremony heralds fourth cruise terminal

Galveston Wharves Port Director/CEO Rodger Rees and MSC Cruises USA Chairman Rick Sasso drew back a curtain to reveal a large-scale rendering of the terminal complex with MSC Seascape depicted alongside.

Elected officials, port and community leaders and a Cruise Lines International Association representative were among the more than 150 people on hand for Tuesday's event.

Officials dig in at the official groundbreaking

$151m cruise complex

The groundbreaking was a formality; construction was already underway on the $151m cruise complex at Pier 16 will include a 165,000-square-foot terminal and a $55m parking garage. The terminal will be home to MSC Seascape when it opens in November 2025.

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.'

He also gave a 'warm, Texas welcome' to MSC Cruises, adding that 'having a cruise line of this stature homeporting in Galveston says a great deal about our position in the US and global cruise markets.'

2m passengers

With the additional terminal, Rees said he expects the port to reach more than 2m passengers (4m movements) a year beginning in 2026, the pinnacle in Galveston’s 24 years as a cruise homeport.

For his part, Sasso called the groundbreaking a 'significant milestone in MSC Cruises’ ongoing US 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.'

Other officials participating included US Congressman Randy Weber, Texas Sen. Mayes Middleton and Rep. Terri Leo Wilson, Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Gina Spagnola, Galveston Wharves Chairman Vic Pierson and CLIA SVP/North America Managing Director Jason Park.