Galveston trustees to weigh pause in fifth cruise terminal talks
The proposed halt would keep discussions on hold until a port mobility study and related planning are completed.
Galveston Wharves trustees were scheduled to consider pausing negotiations with cruise lines over a fifth cruise terminal, according to the board’s Sept. 22 meeting agenda. The proposed pause would remain in place until the Port of Galveston completes a comprehensive mobility study and presents its findings to the board and community.
Port officials had been conducting exclusive discussions with Royal Caribbean Group about a proposed Cruise Terminal 14 beside the company’s Cruise Terminal 10. Under the arrangement being discussed, the port would fill a slip and develop a pier, berth and parking structure. Royal Caribbean would lease the site from the port and build the terminal.
Three trustees submitted the proposal to delay further fifth-terminal discussions with any cruise line. They also requested that port staff prepare a plan, schedule, cost estimate and potential funding sources for any improvements or additions recommended by the mobility study before negotiations resume.
The Port of Galveston’s study is examining how continued growth affects port property, surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Galveston. It is also intended to identify measures that could reduce the effects of increased traffic.