MSC Cruises and Miami-Dade County announced the signing of an agreement to extend preferential berthing rights as well as a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a new AAA Cruise Terminal at PortMiami
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, commented: “The new agreement and extended collaboration with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County is another key step forward in the growth of MSC Cruises’ business, as we continue to strengthen our global footprint, with a strategic focus on North America.”
The new agreement extends MSC Cruises' priority berthing from Saturdays to Sundays. Furthermore, the new terminal – expected to be completed in October 2022 – will be able to handle MSC World Class ships, which will be built in the coming years and can accommodate up to 7,000 guests.
Currently, the revolutionary MSC Seaside, which debuted just a few months ago at the end of 2017, sails year-round from Miami to the Caribbean from the recently opened Terminal F. The MSC Divina also sails seasonally in the Caribbean, from October to March, and the MSC Armonia will join the North American-based MSC Cruises fleet in December 2018, offering year-round cruises to Havana, Cuba. Furthermore, in November 2019, the MSC Meraviglia, the company's largest ship at 171,598 gross tons and with a capacity for 5,714 passengers, will join the other three ships at PortMiami.
“The construction of a new AAA cruise terminal with the capacity to dock ships carrying up to 7,000 passengers represents thousands of jobs and more opportunities for our community. We are grateful for our agreement with MSC Cruises,” said Carlos A. Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County.
