Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (together with NCL Bahamas Ltd.) and Miami-Dade County have reached an agreement to amend and restate a cruise terminal agreement incorporating the construction of a new Cruise Terminal B at PortMiami.
Last year PortMiami served more than 5.3 million travelers, more cruise passengers than any other port in the world.
This new agreement guarantees the county a minimum of 1.3 million Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian) passenger moves annually, solidifying Miami as its exclusive homeport in South Florida. This Minimum Annual Guarantee is expected to generate approximately $24 million in gross revenues starting Fiscal Year 2018, with an increase of three percent annually throughout the life of the agreement.
With the increase in cruise calls, approximately 155 new direct full-time jobs will be created.
The new cruise terminal will be able to accommodate vessels carrying 5,000 passengers. A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th at 10 a.m. Construction is set to be completed in the fall of 2019 on schedule to receive the Norwegian Encore (see CruiseMapper), the newest ship of the Breakaway Plus class - the most successful class in Norwegian Cruise Line history.
“Investing in PortMiami's infrastructure positions Miami as a global destination for visitors," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "The construction of a new cruise terminal with the capacity to berth an additional 5,000-passenger cruise ship represents thousands of jobs and increased opportunities for our community. We are grateful for Norwegian Cruise Line's continued partnership.”
"PortMiami is proud to be recognized as the Cruise Capital of the World, welcoming more passengers than any other port in the world," said Chairwoman of the Miami-Dade County Economic Development and Tourism Committee Rebeca Sosa.
"Norwegian Cruise Line's partnership is a big win for the growth and expansion of tourism in Miami-Dade County. We are honored by our partner's commitment to PortMiami and Miami-Dade County."
“We are excited to partner with Miami-Dade County, the architects at Bermello Ajamil & Partners, and the team at NV2A and Haskell to create a modern and innovative terminal that will soon welcome guests to a premium experience that begins even before they embark and fully immerse themselves in what it means to cruise with Norwegian,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Source: Miami-Dade