Port of Los Angeles Taps Pacific Cruise Terminals for Outer Harbor

The Port of Los Angeles has selected Pacific Cruise Terminals, LLC (PCT), a joint venture of Carrix, Inc. and JLC Infrastructure, to develop and operate a future cruise terminal at the port’s Outer Harbor and to redevelop and operate the existing World Cruise Center in San Pedro.

Port leaders described the paired projects as a response to rising cruise demand and a push to modernize facilities for newer generations of ships, while adding public-facing features along the LA Waterfront.

Two projects: a new Outer Harbor terminal and a major upgrade at the World Cruise Center

Under the port’s selection, PCT’s scope spans two initiatives: building a new cruise terminal at the Outer Harbor and taking on redevelopment and ongoing operations of the World Cruise Center on the port’s main channel. The World Cruise Center has been a cornerstone of Los Angeles cruise operations since 1988 and anchors most embarkation and debarkation activity in San Pedro.

Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, tied the decision to both growth and competition among West Coast cruise gateways. “This new Outer Harbor cruise terminal and World Cruise Center redevelopment will allow us to capture more of the rapidly growing cruise business, while also establishing Los Angeles as the primary West Coast gateway for cruise operations,” Seroka said.

What the Outer Harbor terminal concept is designed to include

The port and project partners describe the Outer Harbor facility as a next-generation terminal designed to accommodate larger, newer cruise ships, including ships characterized as more environmentally sustainable. Plans also emphasize that the site would function as a waterfront destination, not only as a passenger-processing facility.

Renderings described in project materials depict a modern circular terminal structure with berths on either side, with a grassy park at the center and outdoor seating overlooking the harbor. The concept has also been referred to as the Harbor Cruise Terminal and Park.

• The terminal is planned as a modern cruise facility capable of handling the world’s largest ships, with berthing on both sides of a circular building concept shown in renderings.
• Plans call for open space and recreational elements, including a central grassy park and outdoor seating areas oriented toward the harbor.
• The project is intended to improve access to the LA Waterfront for residents and visitors and includes shore power capabilities to support more environmentally sustainable operations.

A firm completion date has not been set, and the port has indicated that additional definition of design, phasing, and a construction schedule will come as planning advances. The Port of Los Angeles previously initiated a request-for-proposals process in summer 2024 as part of its effort to update and expand cruise infrastructure.

World Cruise Center redevelopment: details still emerging

Alongside the Outer Harbor development, PCT is slated to redevelop and operate the World Cruise Center. While the port and project partners have framed the work as modernization and a capacity and passenger-experience upgrade aligned with industry fleet changes, specific redevelopment details were not fully specified in the available information.

The World Cruise Center is expected to remain in operation while it undergoes redevelopment under PCT’s assignment.

Record 2025 cruise activity and the port’s economic case

The selection follows what the port described as its best-ever year for cruises. In 2025, the Port of Los Angeles logged 241 cruise calls and processed a record 1.6 million passengers through its cruise terminals.

The port estimates that each cruise ship call generates about $1.3 million in local economic activity. Using that estimate, the 241 calls recorded in 2025 equate to roughly $313 million tied to cruise vessel visits.

Who is Pacific Cruise Terminals, and what its partners say

PCT combines Seattle-based Carrix and New York-based JLC Infrastructure. Carrix is described as North America’s leading cruise terminal operator, and JLC Infrastructure reports approximately $2.3 billion in assets under management across sectors including transportation, energy, and communications.

Uffe Ostergaard, CEO of Carrix, said, “Carrix is proud to have been selected by the Port of Los Angeles as the lead partner for the development of the Outer Harbor cruise terminal and the redevelopment of the World Cruise Center.” Ostergaard added that the company expects its experience to contribute to “a significant economic return for both the Port and the greater Harbor community.”

Stefano Borzone, President of Carrix’s cruise division, pointed to broader fleet investment across the industry. “In response to the growing demand for cruise vacations, cruise ship operators have committed to an unprecedented new build program,” Borzone said, adding that larger and more technologically advanced ships are entering the market. He said the new facility will be important to “positioning Los Angeles as a premier homeport” and a leading cruise gateway on the West Coast.

JLC Infrastructure was formed in 2015 by Earvin “Magic” Johnson of Magic Johnson Enterprises and Jim Reynolds of Loop Capital. Marlon Smith, Managing Director at JLC, said, “This project supports our strategy to invest in critical infrastructure that contributes to the growth of the surrounding communities.” He described Los Angeles as “a strategic location” for rising Pacific Coast cruise demand and said the firm expects added tourism activity to benefit the port, local businesses, and the community.

Wider LA Waterfront context, including upcoming events and cruise line activity

The Outer Harbor site sits within a broader waterfront area that the port and region have linked to civic and tourism activity. The port has noted its Olympic sailing history, having hosted sailing during the 1932 Olympic Games, and said the waterfront area is slated to feature boating and sailing events during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The port has also continued to host major cruise lines and larger ship visits. The Port of Los Angeles has hosted calls by Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, is scheduled to add additional calls by Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, and has listed Virgin Voyages as a new partner line for the port. The port has also cited cruise activity from operators including Norwegian Cruise Line.

With PCT selected, the next milestones include further definition of design and phasing for the Outer Harbor terminal, the release of additional construction-schedule details, and the development of more specific plans for upgrades at the World Cruise Center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is developing the Port of Los Angeles Outer Harbor cruise terminal?

Pacific Cruise Terminals, LLC, a joint venture between Carrix, Inc. and JLC Infrastructure, was selected by the Port of Los Angeles to develop and operate the future Outer Harbor cruise terminal.

What else will Pacific Cruise Terminals do besides the new Outer Harbor terminal?

PCT will also redevelop and operate the port’s existing World Cruise Center in San Pedro, which anchors most current cruise operations on the port’s main channel.

When will the new Outer Harbor cruise terminal open?

A target completion date was not provided in the available information. The port has said design, phasing, and a construction schedule are expected to be further defined as planning progresses.

What are the key features planned for the Outer Harbor cruise terminal?

The project is described as a next-generation terminal designed for larger, newer ships, with public-facing waterfront elements. Project descriptions and renderings referenced a circular terminal concept with berths on either side, a central grassy park with outdoor seating, improved waterfront access, and shore power capabilities.

How busy is the Port of Los Angeles as a cruise port, and what economic impact does it estimate?

In 2025, the port recorded 241 cruise calls and processed a record 1.6 million passengers. The port estimates each cruise ship call generates about $1.3 million in local economic activity, which it calculates as roughly $313 million associated with the 241 calls that year.