By
Rebecca Gibson |
Port Canaveral in Florida, US has started to demolish its oldest cruise terminal to make way for a new passenger terminal with an upgraded berth for large cruise ships and a parking garage.
The demolition of Cruise Terminal 3, which was previously used for single-day cruise calls, is expected to be completed in July 2018 at a cost of US$210,000. It marks the start of a multi-phase, 20-month construction project that will be the largest in the port’s history. Subsequent phases of the project include berth demolition, dredging and waterside construction; constructing passenger boarding bridges; terminal construction with related site work; and the adjacent parking facility.
“This is a moment we have been waiting for,” said John Murray, the port’s CEO. “The new high-tech, fully modernised cruise terminal will enhance our ability to welcome some of the largest and most advanced cruise ships in the world. The cruise industry is projected to grow significantly over the next several years and with this new terminal, our port is well positioned to keep pace with that growth.”
Set for completion in late 2019 or early 2020, the new US$150 million two-storey, 188,000-square-foot terminal will be able to accommodate up to 6,500 cruise guests. The terminal will have modern systems to screen arriving passengers according to US Customs and Border Protection regulations, as well as integrated mobile passenger check-in to expedite boarding processes. Meanwhile, the elevated, covered and secure parking structure will have capacity for around 1,800 vehicles.
“Port Canaveral continues to experience growth in all sectors, and particularly in our cruise business,” said Murray. “It’s important that we continuously invest in our capabilities and grow our capacity to ensure we support the needs of our cruise partners today and remain well positioned to meet their demands of tomorrow.”