San Juan Cruise Port Showcases Major Infrastructure Progress and Future Investments to Cruise Industry Leaders During FCCA Conference
San Juan Cruise Port (SJCP) welcomed executives from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), cruise line operations representatives, regional GPH port executives, and other key industry stakeholders for a special presentation and facilities tour held in conjunction with the FCCA Annual Conference & Trade Show in Puerto Rico this week.
The gathering provided an opportunity to showcase the significant progress achieved since SJCP assumed operations in February 2024 under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership (P3) Agreement with the Government of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA), while outlining the next phase of infrastructure investments aimed at strengthening San Juan’s position as a leading Caribbean cruise destination and homeport.
The presentation was attended by Norberto Negrón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and Josué Colón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority, highlighting the continued collaboration between SJCP and its government partners in advancing the island’s cruise infrastructure.
During the briefing, SJCP representatives outlined the progress of an initial infrastructure investment program expected to exceed $200 million, with anticipated completion in the fourth quarter of 2026. The program encompasses structural rehabilitation, improvements to berthing infrastructure, terminal upgrades, and operational enhancements across the port’s facilities, including the Pan American Piers and Pier 4 in Old San Juan.
The presentation also offered a forward-looking perspective on two major projects that will shape the future of San Juan’s cruise industry. The first involves the proposed development of a new cruise terminal at Piers 11 and 12, representing an additional investment of more than $200 million in construction costs, planned to be financed through private capital. The project is envisioned to expand San Juan’s homeport infrastructure with modern passenger facilities, improved embarkation and disembarkation processes, and enhanced operational capabilities to accommodate the evolving needs of the global cruise industry.
The second project involves the demolition and reconstruction of the iconic Pier 1 in Old San Juan, with an estimated total project cost of $114 million. The initiative is expected to be funded primarily through federal Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) and FEMA resources, administered in coordination with the Puerto Rico Department of Housing, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3). The project will reimagine this historic waterfront facility while preserving its connection to Old San Juan’s distinctive character.
“Hosting cruise industry leaders during the FCCA Conference gives us a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how our commitments are translating into meaningful improvements across San Juan’s cruise facilities,” said Clarivette Díaz, General Manager of San Juan Cruise Port. “We are not only investing in the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, but also planning for the next generation of cruise operations in Puerto Rico. Through our partnership with the Government of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and our cruise line partners, we are building the capacity, reliability, and passenger experience needed to support the industry’s continued growth in the Caribbean.”
Industry Leaders Tour Pan American Piers and View New Passenger Boarding Bridge
Following the presentation, participants toured the Pan American Piers, where they had the opportunity to see firsthand the infrastructure improvements completed and underway at one of San Juan’s key homeport facilities.
A highlight of the visit was the recent arrival of a brand-new Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB), which will complement the first bridge installed at the facility last year. Together, these additions mark a major operational milestone, providing Puerto Rico, for the first time, with this type of passenger boarding infrastructure at the Pan American Piers.
The equipment is designed to facilitate safer, more efficient passenger movement between cruise vessels and terminal facilities, while expanding the piers’ operational flexibility and capacity to accommodate cruise ships and their evolving requirements.
The site visit also allowed participants to appreciate the broader modernization efforts across the Pan American facilities, including improvements to terminal infrastructure and passenger processing areas aimed at enhancing the overall embarkation and disembarkation experience.
SJCP’s participation in the FCCA Annual Conference reinforces GPH’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with cruise lines, government stakeholders, and industry organizations throughout the Caribbean. By combining ongoing infrastructure improvements with long-term development planning, SJCP continues to position Puerto Rico for sustained growth as both a major cruise homeport and a destination within Caribbean itineraries.
