Port of Galveston Director and CEO Rodger Rees reported that the port has far exceeded expectations in 2023. Compared to 2022 the Port of Galveston achieved a remarkable 42% cruise passenger growth as compared to 2022. The Gulf of Mexico port welcomed 1.49 million passengers through embarkations and debarkations and set a record of 354 cruise sailings.
This escalation of numbers can be credited to the opening of a third cruise terminal, a strong national cruise industry, the growing popularity of Galveston as a cruise homeport, along with the arrival of larger ships. With the arrival Carnival Jubilee and more sailings by other cruise lines, the port is looking forward to more growth in 2024
Those sailings include Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess which began sailing from Galveston in November 2023, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima which began her inaugural sailing from Galveston in December 2023. With the arrival of passengers from these larger ships, Galveston is looking at major growth in both its maritime and tourism divisions.
Rees said, “Cruise growth also fuels jobs growth on the waterfront. This, along with our growing roll-on/roll-off cargo business, contributed to 657,180 total labor hours in 2023. This is the highest number of labor hours in recent years and a 7 percent increase over 2022. These hours equate to approximately 316 full-time jobs, helping to make the maritime industry a major employer for our region.”
In addition to this increase, the Port of Galveston secured major funding to make port improvements. The port was awarded $42.3 million in state grants for cargo and transportation projects, a $1 million state grant to pilot a shore power microgrid to power docked cargo ships, and $340,000 for a federally funded study to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety. The port prides itself in being a self-sustaining entity that relies on its own income, grants and revenue bonds when making improvements.
The port in partnership with Carnival Cruise LIne also completed a $53 million renovation of Cruise Terminal 25, the port’s oldest cruise terminal. The renovation prepared the cruise terminal for larger ships like Carnival Jubilee in December.
Looks like the Port of Galveston is moving forward to become a leading cruise destination.