MSC Cruises has agreed a deal worth around €350 million with Fincantieri to build a new cruise terminal in PortMiami.
Up to three of the line’s latest ships will be able to dock at the multi-level terminal at any one time.
About 36,000 passengers will be able to pass through the hub every day. The project is expected to be completed by December 2023.
Fincantieri will build two new docks 750 metres in length and local authority Miami-Dade County will build a third berth.
At least 2,400 vehicles will be able to park at the terminal and a new road connection to the building will also be built.
MSC Seashore, which is currently being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and any of the line’s World Class vessels could dock at the yet-to-built terminal.
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Any shore power-enabled ship docked in the terminal will be able to plug in to the local power grid.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman, said: “For the past 35 years MSC Group has been an important partner for the US economy through our growing role as one of the world’s leading container shipping businesses as well as terminal operators for cargo and passengers alike.
“Miami has always been a key hub and the new MSC Terminal at PortMiami consolidates our overall presence in this important maritime centre.
“Fincantieri will undoubtedly contribute to this project just like they do to many of our ships. [The cruise terminal] will serve as a platform to support and sustain the expansion of our cruise division across the region and in the Caribbean for years to come.
“It will also allow us to deploy some of our most modern and environmentally high-performing vessels there.”
Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri chief executive, said: “Miami is undoubtedly the centre of world cruise tourism, as well as being the ideal hub for the entire Caribbean area, and is therefore the perfect showcase to host a work that will be representative of the best of made in Italy.”