MSC Cruises, the Swiss-Italian global cruise line based in Geneva, has inaugurated its four-storey, expansive cruise terminal on April 5 at PortMiami.
In a press statement, the cruise line says that the terminal is a ‘milestone of MSC’s 20-year history in the port and a symbol of our commitment to quality tourism.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Italy’s ambassador to the US, Mariangela Zappia; Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises; Rick Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises USA; Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero; Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and PortMiami Director Hydi Webb.
US-Italy cooperation
Sasso, who acted as master of ceremonies, highlighted the cooperation between Italy and the US and between the public and private sectors and introduced a video message from Italy’s prime minister.
Ambassador Zappia called the terminal an ‘extraordinary work of two Italian entrepreneurs, MSC and Fincantieri, and a symbol of skilled engineering, technology and beauty.’
For Fincantieri’s Folgiero, the building represents competence and determination, while conveying feelings of elegance and welcome.
‘With this we have brought our “Made in Italy” technical skills overseas,’ he said.
Capacity for 36,000 cruisers a day
Spanning 492,678 square feet and capable of processing up to 36,000 passengers on three ships in a day, it has cutting-edge technology central to its throughput and advanced operations. These include the Leonardo high-volume baggage system, used by airports, with 42 luggage screening machines, and facial recognition for US Customs and Border Control.
Imagined by global design firm Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure, the new terminal will serve MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys ships, including the newest addition, MSC World America. It is scheduled to be named during a ceremony at the terminal on April 9 before setting sail for an inaugural Caribbean season.
Alongside the facility, stretching almost one kilometre, are two berths for MSC and a PortMiami-run third berth that will be used by Royal Caribbean Group. Other key features include at-home check-in and preparation for biometric processing and a six-level parking garage with over 2,400 spaces and a bag drop.
There are 18 biometric face pods and 20 security lanes for seamless screening. The terminal uses 22 biometric E-gates to finalise the embarkation process before boarding.
The terminal sports an extensive glass façade, bathing the waiting area in natural light. A private lounge for MSC Yacht Club guests serves premium drinks and snacks prior to embarkation.
The terminal has seven curated artworks commissioned through the Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places program. The most striking piece is a first-of-its-kind, 10,816-square-foot digitally projected installation that adorns the exterior. It uses real-time NOAA oceanic data to create a display of tides, currents and weather patterns.
