A new terminal and pier are to be created as part of a multi-million dollar plan to upgrade one of the Caribbean’s leading cruise ports.
The plans for San Juan cruise port in Puerto Rico were unveiled as independent cruise port operator Global Ports Holding (GPH) won a 30-year concession deal for $75 million.
The port, which handled 1.8 million passengers in pre-pandemic 2019 will become the third-largest in the company’s global network when the work is completed.
An initial $100 million will be spent on upgrades followed by $250 million in building a new cruise pier and “state-of-the-art” terminal capable of handling the world’s largest cruise ships.
The company said: “The management approach of GPH will ensure the port is integrated into Old San Juan and Puerto Rico’s thriving tourism sector as a whole, creating significant opportunities for local businesses to benefit directly from the improved facilities and the expected growth in cruise passenger volumes.”
The port is seen as being strategically important in the region’s cruise market, positioned to be included in both eastern and southern Caribbean itineraries.
GPH chairman and chief executive Mehmet Kutman said: ”I am delighted that the government of Puerto Rico has selected GPH for this public-private partnership to improve and expand San Juan Cruise Port.
“The addition of this fantastic location to our cruise port network marks a further important step in our growth strategy and will grow cruise passenger volumes across our network to over 16 million passengers per annum.
“The GPH team looks forward to working in partnership with all stakeholders to refurbish and reinvigorate this leading cruise port to create a world-leading cruise port experience for the benefit of all stakeholders.
“Our work to transform this port will see hundreds of millions of US dollars invested into San Juan Cruise Port, all financed by private capital.
“Our plans include building a new cruise pier, a state-of-the-art cruise terminal, and significant enhancements to the public infrastructure.”