Port of Miami officials mull nine-figure cruise terminal upgrade

Cruise ships in the Port of MiamiThe Port of Miami is considering spending several hundred million dollars to upgrade cruise terminals, according to Miami Today, to accommodate the growing number of passengers expected to flood the area in the coming years.

The port drew 4.1 million passengers, making it the busiest one in the world, and officials expect that number to rise to 5.9 million by 2035. The industry generates about $60 million per annum for Miami-Dade county.

In hopes of maintaining its leadership position, officials want to expand the size of terminals because the industry has trended towards larger ships. The latest vessels by Carnival Corp, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line are as long as 1,300 feet. [Miami Today]