San Juan Cruise Port Modernization Set for Late 2026 Completion
San Juan handled 561 cruise calls and 1,593,513 passengers in 2025, while the proposed US$114 million Pier 1 rebuild would primarily use federal funding.
Global Ports Holding expects to complete San Juan Cruise Port’s initial modernization program, with investment projected to exceed US$200 million, in the fourth quarter of 2026. The operator has also outlined two proposed developments: a new homeport terminal at Piers 11 and 12 and the demolition and reconstruction of historic Pier 1 in Old San Juan.
The terminal proposal would involve more than US$200 million in additional construction investment, while rebuilding Pier 1 carries an estimated US$114 million cost. Those proposals are separate from work already underway.
GPH assumed operations in February 2024 through a 30-year public-private partnership agreement with the Government of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. Since then, it has worked with its government partners on structural repairs, berth improvements, terminal upgrades and operational changes across the facilities.
“San Juan Cruise Port is a key part of our growth strategy across the Americas,” said Mike Maura Jr., GPH’s regional director for the Americas.
“From infrastructure rehabilitation to new passenger boarding bridges, these improvements are making a real difference in how we operate and serve cruise lines and their guests,” said Clarivette Diaz, general manager of San Juan Cruise Port.
Homeport terminal proposed for a busier port
The proposed terminal at Piers 11 and 12 is envisioned as a privately financed development. It would add homeport infrastructure and modern passenger facilities, with improvements to embarkation and disembarkation capabilities intended to meet cruise lines’ changing requirements.
San Juan handled 561 cruise calls and 1,593,513 passengers in 2025, compared with 506 calls and 1,427,522 passengers in 2024. The port’s existing facilities comprise three terminals and six berths supporting both transit visits and homeport operations.
Transit traffic accounted for 1,162,607 passengers in 2024, while turnaround and homeport traffic totaled 264,915. The broader redevelopment encompasses the Old San Juan area, including Piers 1, 3 and 4, and the Homeport District, which includes the Pan American piers and Piers 11–14.
Pier 1 reconstruction would use federal funding
Unlike the privately financed terminal, the Pier 1 project is expected to draw its funding primarily from federal CDBG-MIT and FEMA resources. Development would proceed in coordination with the relevant Puerto Rico government agencies.
Jan Fomferra, president of San Juan Cruise Port and GPH’s chief financial officer, described San Juan as an example of “what can be achieved when long-term private investment is combined with a shared vision and strong public-sector collaboration.”
See cruises departing San Juan on Cruise Lookup.
