Royal Caribbean Group's new Galveston terminal, opening on November 9, will be the first cruise terminal to generate 100% of its energy needs using on-site solar panels.
This makes the building, which will be used by Royal Caribbean International, the world's first LEED Zero Energy facility.
The terminal at Pier 10 expands the company's presence in the port, increasing its capacity to accommodate up to 630,000 passengers per year. It will house, among other vessels, the Oasis-class Allure of the Seas.
“We are focused on innovating in all aspects of our company, especially in our work to advance the sustainability of the communities we visit,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group
The terminal will be the first in Texas to achieve LEED Gold certification, which is expected to be received in the first two quarters of 2023.
Royal Caribbean Group addressed design strategies that aligned with its overall environmental goals, its approach to advancing sustainable infrastructure development, and its decarbonization strategy.
The facilities were designed by Bermello Ajamil & Partners to meet LEED certification standards. The project prioritized materials that produce less carbon based on energy consumption and transportation processes.
Indoor sources of pollution are minimized by installing materials with low or zero volatile organic compounds and improving air filtration, with a focus on comfort and controllability. The terminal will feature on-site solar panels, enabling self-sufficient energy use. Any remaining energy not used by the terminal will be fed into the local power grid.
The materials and construction choices help reduce the urban heat island effect in the Galveston area, a region that experiences higher temperatures than surrounding areas due to an overtaxed energy grid. The terminal will implement strategies to reduce exterior light pollution, which can help minimize the negative impact on the night sky and the surrounding community.
By offering bicycle facilities and electric charging stations, the project promotes alternative means of transportation for workers in the surrounding community, reducing transportation-related carbon emissions.
As the Port of Galveston increases its electric vehicle charging stations, the Royal Caribbean terminal will supply the infrastructure for the future installation of eight electric vehicle charging stations within its parking lot.
The Galveston terminal is Royal Caribbean's fourth LEED-certified facility and its first to achieve Gold certification. Previous projects include Terminal A at PortMiami; the company's call center campus in Springfield, Oregon; and the Innovation Lab at the Royal Caribbean Group's corporate headquarters in Miami.
