The Port of Miami may already be the world’s busiest cruise port, but Royal Caribbean have entered into negotiations to open a new £65m terminal, capable of accommodating the biggest ships on the seas. Housing Oasis Class ships, the specifications call for a 170 square foot terminal in the heart of Miami’s coastline.
If the negotiations progress as planned, Royal Caribbean hope the new terminal will be ready and operational by 2018. This will coincide with the launch of the as-yet-unnamed fourth member of the Oasis Class of ship. However, the proposal has to be considered by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners who are meeting on 16 September to discuss the plans.
The new port would be developed and owned by the cruise line, with a small contribution from the county. Royal Caribbean’s proposal includes leasing the land underneath the new terminal for a minimum of 20 years, with the option for additional 10 year extensions.
The county seem to be keen on the prospect of Royal Caribbean’s new super terminal. Deputy county mayor, Jack Osterholt, enthuses: “This deal structure is extremely attractive to the port because it transfers risk from the county to a private company.”
If successful, the new port is planned to be built at the easternmost point of the port – furthest from downtown Miami. Royal Caribbean ships currently dock at Terminal G, which is located at the complete opposite side of the port.
The Port of Miami used to be the home of both the current Oasis Class ships but lost the deployment of Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas to Fort Lauderdale in 2009. However, with the installation of the new terminal, the Port of Miami could soon be Royal Caribbean’s major partner in Florida once again.
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons, Credit Phillip Pessar, Joe Tolley
