Construction is underway at the Port of Galveston to convert an existing cargo warehouse into the port's fourth cruise terminal. The $151 million cruise complex at Pier 16 will include a 165,000-square-foot terminal and a $55 million parking garage. The terminal will be home to MSC Seascape when it opens in November 2025.

Galveston Wharves celebrated the construction start on Aug. 20 at a ceremony at Pier 16 with executives from MSC Cruises and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), elected officials, community leaders and other port partners.

During the ceremony, Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, and Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises U.S. chairman, drew back a curtain to debut a large-scale rendering of the terminal complex with MSC Seascape docked alongside to applause from a crowd of more than 100.

With the opening of the fourth terminal, Rees added that he expects the port to reach more than 2 million passengers a year beginning in 2026, which would be a new milestone in Galveston's 24 years as a cruise home port.

A game-changer for the community'

U.S. Congressman Randy Weber told the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony: "I'm thrilled about the groundbreaking of the fourth cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston. This kind of investment is a game-changer for the community, and it's all thanks to Rodger Rees. His leadership is putting Galveston on the map as a top cruise destination and keeping the port bustling with activity. I will continue to fight for the ports in Congress to ensure they get the support they deserve."

Regional economic benefits

The local impact of the port's 2022 cruise activity included 3,500 jobs, $568 million in local business revenue, and $73.5 million in local purchases by passengers and crew. The fourth cruise terminal is forecast to generate an additional 925 jobs and $177 million in local business revenue annually.

The city of Galveston will benefit directly with passenger fees and sales tax revenues from cruise parking.

About the Port of Galveston

Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, the Port of Galveston has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses.

The port is the fourth most popular cruise home port in the U.S. The port also leases and maintains a wide range of cargo facilities on the deep-water Galveston Harbor, which is ranked among the top 50 busiest U.S. cargo waterways. The Galveston Wharves is a self-sustaining city entity whose mission is to generate and reinvest port revenues to benefit the Galveston community with economic growth, jobs and sales tax revenues.