Global Ports Holding (GPH) has outlined plans for a new cruise terminal at Piers 11 and 12 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, alongside the demolition and reconstruction of the historic Pier 1 in Old San Juan..
The new terminal represents more than $200 million in added construction investment and is envisioned to be privately financed.
GPH said it would increase San Juan's homeport capacity, provide passengers with modern facilities and make embarkation and disembarkation more efficient for cruise lines.
The Pier 1 reconstruction is estimated at $114 million. Most of its funding is anticipated to come from federal Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources, in coordination with Puerto Rico government agencies.
In August, San Juan Cruise Port opened the Pier 1 process by inviting proposals covering architectural and engineering expertise, design work, environmental services and technical support. The principal backing identified for the project was a $98.2 million CDBG-MIT allocation.
GPH described the two projects as the next phase following an initial modernisation programme at existing facilities. That programme is expected to exceed $200 million and is due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.
A second passenger boarding bridge has recently arrived at the Pan American Piers, complementing the first, which was installed in 2025.
GPH assumed operations at the port in February 2024 under a 30-year public-private partnership with the Government of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.