MSC Cruises inaugurates new terminal in Miami. Built by Fincantieri, it is the largest and most technologically advanced in the world
President Meloni: «A source of national pride, it fills us with honor»
05 April 2025
- Measuring 632 meters and covering approximately 46,000 m², the terminal can accommodate three large ships simultaneously and handle up to 36,000 passengers per day. The project, r a major “Made in Italy” team effort, involved key players such as Leonardo, Banca Intesa, CDP, SACE, and RINA
- Attendees at the ceremony included Deputy Minister Edoardo Rixi, the Italian Ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
- Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC’s Cruise Division: «The terminal sets new standards for the entire sector and offers passengers a unique experience. It is a state-of-the-art facility that symbolizes our commitment to quality tourism, our spirit of innovation, and our long-term vision»
- Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri’s CEO and Managing Director: «This is an extraordinary demonstration of our ability to deliver highly complex projects, even beyond the boundaries of our historic shipyards.We have completed a bold undertaking, building a structure set to become an integral part of the Miami Beach skyline»
Miami, April 5, 2025 – Made in Italy has landed in Miami, the world capital and iconic hub of the cruise industry. This afternoon the inauguration of the “MSC Miami Cruise Terminal” was officially inaugurated - the new U.S. terminal for MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise company, and for Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of MSC’s Cruise Division. Built by Fincantieri Infrastructure, a Fincantieri subsidiary, the new terminal measures 632 meters, 85 meters in width, and 29 meters in height (four floors), covering a total area of 45,787 m². It is the largest and most technologically advanced cruise terminal in the world.
Featuring next-generation environmental standards and a futuristic design, with 12,777 m2 of glass surface, the structure harmoniously blends into Miami’s legendary skyline, becoming one of its most iconic and elegant buildings. The terminal can accommodate up to 36,000 passengers per day, ensuring a unique and striking embarkation experience. It can host three large ships at the same time, docked at piers equipped with shore-to-ship power connections that allow ships to switch off their engines and eliminate emissions while in port.
In a video message broadcast during the ceremony, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized: «The inauguration of the MSC Terminal in Miami is a source of great pride for our nation and fills us with honor. The Government supported and accompanied the construction of this infrastructure, a result of the collaboration between MSC Cruises and Fincantieri, not only because it represents Italy’s unique ability to combine tradition and innovation, but also because it is an extraordinary showcase for Made in Italy and what we do best. This project, which will bring mutual benefits to both Italy and the United States, is also concrete proof of the added value that the Italian system can generate, especially in sector where our nation has a centuries-old vocation and technological and industrial excellence, such as the maritime industry. The sea means many things to Italy: it is history, identity, culture, and the blue line that outlines the beauty and uniqueness of our land. More than ever, the Blue Economy is at the core of our national strategy and represents a key asset in which we are investing with great determination. Our goal is to play an increasingly leading role, working together to merge our great maritime tradition with the innovations that can drive the sector’s evolution and growth. We are already leaders in shipbuilding, shipping, cruising, and in many other areas, but I am convinced that there is still untapped potential, and it is our duty to work to unleash it».
The event was attended by numerous Italian, American, and international authorities, including Italy’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi, Italian Ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Deputy Minister Rixi stated: «The new MSC Cruise Terminal in Miami represents an important milestone in Italy–U.S. transport cooperation. This project is not just a state-of-the-art infrastructure, but also a true symbol of Italian style, engineering, and know-how in the world, the result of collaboration between the public and private sectors. It is a showcase of Italian design, quality, and innovation. A gateway for millions of tourists that further strengthens economic and industrial ties between Italy and the United States, proving the ability of Italian companies to play a leading global role. »
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, said: «We are proud to have created the largest and most technologically advanced terminal in the world, which sets new standards for the entire industry. It is able to offer our guests an unique experience both at the boarding and disembarkation stage, making each of our cruises an even more exciting and engaging journey. This extraordinary and avant-garde structure symbolises our dedication to quality tourism, our spirit of innovation, our long-term vision and the passion we put into constantly improving each of our activities. The construction of this terminal involved a great commitment and the overcoming of considerable challenges, which we were able to achieve thanks to the collaboration of our partners. I thank everyone for what has been achieved and in particular the numerous Italian companies that have brilliantly supported us in the realization of this wonderful example of "Made in Italy" in the United States».
Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri’s CEO and Managing Director, said: «The inauguration of MSC Cruises’ new terminal in Miami stands as an extraordinary demonstration of Fincantieri’s capability to deliver highly complex projects, even beyond the boundaries of our historic shipyards. Today marks the completion of a bold undertaking, in which we successfully overcame significant challenges, while honoring all the commitments made to one of our most important clients, MSC. We are proud to have brought the excellence of Italian engineering overseas with the construction of the world’s largest cruise terminal. In addition to its remarkable engineering value, the project involved the coordination of an extensive supply chain, which we managed with precision to meet the high architectural and qualitative standards of such an ambitious initiative. I extend my sincere thanks to all our people, who, true to Fincantieri’s reputation, made it possible to complete this bold achievement. The terminal is set to become an iconic landmark, and a permanent part of the Miami Beach skyline».
The terminal’s design and construction —a proud example of Italian excellence—are the result of strong team effort involving some of Italy’s leading industrial and financial entities: Leonardo (technology), RINA (technical, environmental, and financial due diligence), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, SACE, and Banca Intesa (financial support). It demonstrates how cooperation among top Italian companies can drive and strengthen the global presence of Made in Italy. MSC Cruises’ major investment represents one of the most significant foreign infrastructure projects recently carried out in the U.S. It has generated not only substantial economic, employment, and technological benefits for Italy, but also offered a prestigious international showcase, especially given its strategic location in Miami, the cruise capital of the world.
The project was completed in record time: from the laying of the foundation stone on March 12, 2022, to today’s official handover. On average, about 500 people worked on site daily, often in multiple shifts, with 24/7operations in the final months. The terminal’s construction represented an exceptionally complex engineering challenge, successfully addressed thanks to the integration of specialized skills in civil, steel, and maritime construction across the entire Fincantieri Infrastructure Division. The use of advanced digital tools, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), enabled the streamlining and efficient coordination of all plant engineering activities.
The Terminal features an innovative baggage handling system developed by Leonardo, designed to optimize logistics operations and improve the efficiency in baggage movement and sorting. For the first time in the cruise sector, the system incorporates cross-belt technology, widely used in airports, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Leonardo and MSC’s Cruise Division. The system can handle luggage from three cruise ships docked simultaneously, enhancing boarding operations, security checks, equipped with biometric facial recognition, for passenger identification, and delivery speed, thus ensuring a fast and efficient service. The system includes a screening area with 22 lines and a total of 360 meters of conveyor belts, plus a sorting system based on Leonardo’s MBHS (multisorting baggage handling system), covering approximately 108 meters. It is integrated with 24 meters of carousels and supported by advanced IT and software solutions for optimal baggage flow management. Technical, environmental, and economic due diligence during the design and construction phases was handled by RINA, which monitored project progress and regulatory compliance. Monitoring will continue throughout the terminal’s operational phase.
Designed by the renowned international design firm Arquitectonica, the new terminal required over 2 million work hours, approximately 5,300 tons of steel, and more than 1.1 million meters of electrical cables. It features advanced systems for energy efficiency, waste management, and water recycling. The main building includes four levels and state-of-the-art facilities for passenger services, along with numerous office spaces, 1,490 m² of green areas, and a six-story parking structure (209 meters long, 94 meters wide, and 31 meters high) that can accommodate 2,450 vehicles, including 245 disabled spaces, with a total surface area of 121,546 m².
Key figures of the new Terminal
- Length: 632 m / Width: 85 m / Height: 29 m (4 floors)
- Total area: 45,787 m²
- Glass surface: 12,777 m²
- Capacity: up to 36,000 passengers in transit per day
- Green areas: 1,490 m²
- Steel used: 5,300 tons
- Total steel decking (including roof): 54,000 m²
- Electrical cables installed: 1.1 million meters
- Marina excavation: 620,000 m³
- Work hours: over 2 million
- Parking garage: 209 m (length) / 94 m (width) / 31 m (height, 6 floors) / 121,546 m² surface area
- Parking spaces: 2,450 (plus 245 for disabled users)