By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) could have its own cruise terminal at PortMiami in Florida, US by 2020, according to a new resolution signed by Miami-Dade County commissioners on 2 May.
Commissioners have approved a resolution to create a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to combine the port’s existing Terminals B and C (to be renamed Terminal C) and build a new US$100 million Terminal B. This would allow the port to simultaneously berth two 5,000-passenger ships. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2020.
As part of the MoU, NCLH will commit to making 52 annual calls at Terminal B with ships carrying at least 3,000 passengers. The agreement runs until September 2026, but could be extended to September 2031.
Miami-Dade County will also renew NCLH’s preferential berthing agreement for Terminal C, which will see the cruise company promising to increase its minimum annual passenger guarantee.
Commissioners have also given NCLH preferential berthing rights at Terminal J for its Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. The cruise company must guarantee a minimum of 45 annual calls (up from 30) as part of the new agreement.
In further changes, NCLH is to submit berthing requests at least 15 months in advance, up from 12 months currently. It will also agree that PortMiami will continue to be the exclusive South Florida homeport for its three brands.
The final agreement for terminal improvements and a full financial analysis will be presented to the board of commissioners this summer.