The Port of Los Angeles is looking to build a new cruise terminal and refurbish an existing facility for $600m to accommodate an expected increase in passengers and ships over the next few years.
The country’s largest port plans to construct a new Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal across six berths that are situated on a parcel that has 13 acres of land, two wharves and 14 acres of off-site parking.
The port said it needs a second terminal to handle a post-pandemic rush expected to reach 250 by 2026, from 229 cruise ship visits last year, many of which will be larger than today’s passenger ships.
“Currently the port has two functional berths for larger cruise vessels, but only one can accommodate ships with 4,000-plus passenger capacity,” Port of Los Angeles spokesman Phillip Sanfield told TradeWinds.
“The proposed project would initially add one more berth for a total of two berths able to accommodate 4,000-plus passenger ships.
“Longer term, the project can accommodate four berths capable of handling four 4,000-plus passenger ships simultaneously.”
The site for the proposed cruise terminal has two existing berths with the capacity for berth length expansion and an undeveloped land site ready for passenger terminal development, he said.
Adding another cruise terminal is critical to the port and the entire Los Angeles waterfront because each cruise ship brings more than $1m into the local economy, the port’s executive director Gene Seroka said in a statement.
“It’s important that we maximise our opportunities to bring more visitors and revenue into the community.”
The port also plans to redevelop the existing Los Angeles World Cruise Center, also called the Inner Harbor Cruise Terminal, that spans six berths and occupies 22 acres. The facility has two cruise berths, two terminal buildings and a baggage-handling structure.
“Issuing a draft RFP [request for proposals] for input allows us to leverage the expertise and creativity of prospective proposers, as well as get important feedback from businesses, the local community and public,” said Michael Galvin, the port’s director of waterfront and commercial real estate.
The port is soliciting public comments on the draft proposal and expects to fund the project with help from the private sector.
