MSC Group's Cruise Division and Fincantieri have announced the signing of a contract for the construction, by Fincantieri Infrastructure Florida, of a new mega cruise terminal in PortMiami, the nerve center of the cruise industry in North America and the Caribbean.
The new MSC PortMiami terminal represents an investment of approximately €350 million and will consist of a multi-level central structure capable of serving up to three state-of-the-art ships simultaneously, with a transit capacity of up to 36,000 passengers per day. Designed by the award-winning global architecture firm Arquitectonica, its completion is scheduled for December 2023.
The new terminal will be able to accommodate the company's largest and most environmentally friendly cruise ships. These include MSC Cruises' new flagship, the MSC Seashore, which is nearing completion at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone and will be deployed from Miami when it enters service later this year, as well as the line's future world-class LNG-powered vessels.
According to PortMiami's plans to enable onshore electrical connection, the company's ships deployed there will be ready to connect to the local electrical grid at the dock.
Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Group's Cruise Division, said: “For the past 35 years, MSC Group has been an important partner to the US economy through our growing role as one of the world's leading container shipping businesses, as well as operators of both cargo and passenger terminals. In this respect, Miami has always been a key hub, and MSC's new terminal at PortMiami further strengthens our global presence in this important maritime center.”.
“Thanks to the Italian flair that Fincantieri will undoubtedly bring to this project, as it does with many of our ships, this new state-of-the-art terminal will become a landmark of style in Miami, as well as a symbol of comfort for passengers passing through what is considered the cruise capital of the world. Furthermore, it will serve as a platform to support and sustain the expansion of our Cruise Division in the region and the Caribbean over the coming years. It will also allow us to deploy some of our most modern and environmentally friendly ships there, which, along with our other investments in the United States, represents our commitment to the local market, our business partners, and our passengers.”
Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, commented: “Miami is undoubtedly the center of global cruise tourism, as well as being the ideal hub for the entire Caribbean area and is, therefore, the perfect showcase to host a project that will be representative of the best of Made in Italy.”
In addition to state-of-the-art facilities for passenger services, the new terminal building will include office areas, a multi-level car park for at least 2,400 vehicles, and a new road connection.
According to the project terms, the company will construct two new piers totaling 750 meters. Miami-Dade County will construct a third pier.
The project also includes the construction of related maritime infrastructure, including water supply stations and four passenger boarding decks.
