2022 has been a year of major accomplishments for the Port of Galveston.
“As we begin a new year, it’s worthwhile to reflect on the highlights of 2022. For the port, it was a year of major accomplishments and growth,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port director and CEO.
“I’m incredibly proud of my dedicated staff, visionary Wharves Board and committed port partners.”
Rees said that the team’s hard work and belief in the port helped them in achieving the following:
- Opening of the $125 million Royal Caribbean International cruise terminal
- Exceeding 1 million cruise passengers for the year
- Commencing discussions with MSC Cruises for a fourth cruise terminal
- Welcoming back Princess Cruises to homeport its Ruby Princess for 16 sailings
- Spending $32 million on capital projects, not including maintenance
- Exceeding projections on end-of-year cash flows for operations and cruise parking
- Opening sections of our interior roadway to ease traffic on Harborside Drive
- Beginning shore power project discussions with major stakeholders
- Seeing the completion of federal ship channel dredging to bring the waterway to its full permitted depths
- Welcoming the USS Texas for extensive renovations at port tenant Gulf Copper’s drydock
The Port of Galveston saw record cruise growth in 2022.
“On December 22, we celebrated our 1 millionth cruise passenger of the year, a major milestone demonstrating that the Galveston cruise business has recovered from the 15-month suspension that ended in July 2021. This is the first time we’ve exceeded 1 million cruise passengers since 2019.
“Never has the port, in its 22-year history as a cruise port, seen such strong interest by cruise passengers and the cruise industry. With the addition of newer and larger ships and more diverse offerings, the port is more popular than ever.”
The Port of Galveston was also awarded $1.3 million in grants for security and safety improvements and another $2 million in state funds for infrastructure projects. On top of that, Res said that the federal government awarded $16 million for a ship channel extension and $25 million for maintenance work to bring the port to its federally permitted deep-water depths.
