An architectural masterpiece by MSC Cruises redefines the future of international cruising.
Miami, April 6, 2025 – A monumental work, a statement of style, innovation and vision: the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal has opened its doors in the world capital of cruising, marking the meeting between the refinement of the “Made in Italy” and the architectural ambition of the future. The structure, the result of the collaboration between MSC Cruises – the third largest operator in the world – and Explore Journeys, a high-end brand of the MSC Group's Cruise Division, was built by Fincantieri Infrastrutture and is today the largest and most technologically advanced cruise terminal on the planet. Located in the heart of PortMiami, The terminal stands out with its futuristic lines and majestic grandeur: 632 meters long, 85 meters wide, and 29 meters high, spread across four levels, for a total surface area of over 45,000 square meters. A "cathedral of the sea" reflecting Italian engineering excellence, its 12,777-square-meter glass façade elegantly blends into the city skyline, becoming one of its new symbols.
Designed to accommodate up to 36,000 passengers per day, the terminal can simultaneously accommodate three large ships, each served by quays equipped with shore-to-ship technology for shore-to-ship power supply. This choice underscores MSC's commitment to an increasingly sustainable and low-emission cruising industry. The new terminal represents much more than a functional structure: it is a true gateway to the contemporary cruise industry, a place where the art of travel meets design, technology, and hospitality. The architectural project, designed by the international studio Arquitectonica, It employed over 500 professionals every day, for a total of over two million hours of work and 5,300 tons of steel used.
In her institutional video message, the President of the Council Georgia Meloni he defined the terminal as “a source of pride for the nation”, underlining how the work testifies to the Italian ability to combine tradition and innovation
Innovation, elegance, and functionality, creating value for Italy and the United States. The inauguration was attended by Italian, American, and international authorities, including the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Edward Rixi to the Italian Ambassador to the USA Mariangela Zappia, from the Secretary of Commerce of the State of Florida J. Alex Kelly to the Mayor of the County of Miami-Dade Daniella Levine Cava. Everyone wanted to underline the symbolic meaning of this work, an expression of a virtuous cooperation between
public and private, between two nations united by the vision of the sea as a place of dialogue, progress, and beauty. The project required cutting-edge technological solutions: among these, Leonardo's baggage handling system stands out, introducing "“cross-belt”, already consolidated in the airport sector. A sophisticated system that optimizes logistics and guarantees rapid delivery times, with over 360 meters of conveyor belts, 22 screening lines and 108 meters of system MBHS sorter. Biometric recognition and advanced management software complete a system that meets the expectations of the modern traveler.
The contribution of the RINA, MSC Cruises, which conducted the technical, environmental, and economic due diligence during the design and construction phases, ensured full compliance with international standards, including environmental sustainability. The terminal was completed in record time: just three years passed from the groundbreaking in March 2022 to today's handover. In the final months, construction activities continued non-stop, around the clock, demonstrating unprecedented organizational and construction expertise. The facility features an innovative six-level multi-story car park with over 2,400 parking spaces, a green area of nearly 1,500 square meters, and facilities for sustainable energy, waste, and water management. Completing the project is the strategic vision of the MSC Group, led by Pierfrancesco Vago, which envisions the terminal as a symbol of the cruise industry of the future: elegant and sustainable, capable of combining accessible luxury, experience, and technology. A significant investment not only in economic terms—one of the largest Italian infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the United States—but also as an act of faith in the global potential of Italian excellence.
The project is the result of a remarkable team effort involving some of the country's most prestigious industrial and financial institutions: Leonardo for the technology, RINA for the technical, environmental, and economic oversight, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, SACE, Simest, and Intesa Sanpaolo for the financial support. This virtuous synergy demonstrates how industrial cohesion can be a driver of success for "Made in Italy" products around the world.
With the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, Italy is writing an important chapter in the history of international cruising, leaving a lasting mark on the city that symbolizes sea travel. A terminal that is not just a transit hub, but an icon of the future, a reflection of elegance that transforms into infrastructure.