New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) last week unveiled an ambitious Master Plan for the redevelopment and modernization of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT), a landmark project that will secure New York City’s place as a global leader in cruise travel and tourism industries. This will all be delivered with sustainable infrastructure that includes much needed quality-of-life improvements for residents and visitors to the west side of Manhattan. Following a 12-month community engagement process, the Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan addresses critical infrastructure challenges, including the replacement of 90-year-old piers and facilities, increases public access, and introduces a fully electrified port with shore power infrastructure and integration with the surrounding Hudson River Park and neighboring community. These upgrades will accommodate current and future cruise ships while significantly reducing emissions and enhancing local air quality. Across the Manhattan and Brooklyn Cruise Terminals, the cruise industry welcomed upwards of 1.5 million passengers to New York City in 2024, generating half a billion dollars in local economic impact, and supporting nearly 3,000 local jobs.
“The Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan is a bold, forward-looking vision that will redefine the future of cruising in New York City,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “By modernizing and electrifying the terminal, this plan will meet urgent industry demands, grow economic impact and tax revenue for the City, and deliver on the community’s longstanding goals for a safer, more sustainable terminal with public access to the waterfront.”
For nearly a century, the Manhattan Cruise Terminal has served as a gateway to New York City, welcoming millions of passengers from around the world. The MCT Master Plan builds on that history by starting a completely new chapter in the life of this Terminal. The plan outlines a comprehensive path for replacing aging infrastructure, accommodating the cruise vessels of today and tomorrow, and delivering a world-class all electric environmentally responsible facility that benefits all New Yorkers.
As customer demand for cruises reaches new annual records, the cruise industry continues to be a major economic engine for New York City, welcoming nearly 1.5 million passengers in 2024 through the Manhattan and Brooklyn Cruise Terminals and generating an estimated $500 million in economic activity across the city. This activity supports nearly 3,000 local jobs, more than 2,000 of which are in tourism-related sectors such as hotels, restaurants, retail, and transportation.
The Master Plan envisions the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT) as a modern, resilient waterfront hub that meets the evolving needs of the cruise industry and New York City. By replacing aging infrastructure with new, expanded piers and a single terminal structure, the plan will enable MCT to accommodate the next generation of cruise vessels – serving up to two 8,000-passenger ships and one 6,000-passenger ship simultaneously. A phased redevelopment ensures continuous cruise operations while minimizing community disruption, positioning MCT as a vital engine of economic growth and opportunity for decades to come.
Shore power and sustainability
At the heart of the Master Plan is a commitment to sustainability and New York City’s broader decarbonization and climate resilience goals – from the implementation of shore power availability for all cruise and harbor vessels calling the facility to raising the piers to meet FEMA flood elevation standards. The Master Plan includes an initial commitment of $20 million for shore power at MCT. The expansion of shore power capabilities at MCT through the contemplated Master Plan investments will finally allow cruise vessels to connect directly to the onshore New York City electric grid and turn off their engines while berthed. Harbor vessels including tugs will now be able to connect to shore power to allow them to recharge their batteries and allow the tug fleet to begin the conversion to Hybrid and fully electric propulsion through the use of on-board battery storage. The incorporation of shore power at MCT builds on NYCEDC’s recent shore power infrastructure enhancements at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (BCT), announced earlier this month, which allows more ships to connect to shore power and reduce cruise ship emissions when docked.
The new MCT will incorporate on-site renewable energy to its fullest potential, integrating solar panels and other innovative energy sources including thermal exchange systems that use the cold waters of the Hudson River for efficient cooling.
The release of the MCT Master Plan comes as NYCEDC doubles down on investments to modernize the New York waterfront. In September, after more than a year of extensive engagement with community members and stakeholders, the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) Task Force passed, by two-thirds majority, a historic vision plan to turn BMT into a fully electric, modern maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community. The BMT plan will also include the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
A working waterfront with multimodal uses
Beyond cruise operations, MCT will serve as a dynamic multimodal hub for transit and freight delivery. A new Blue Highways landing will support sustainable marine freight distribution, reducing overall city truck traffic and supporting zero-emission last-mile delivery. The plan also integrates a ferry stop for potential Hudson River service, expanding access for passengers and reinforcing the terminal’s role as a regional mobility center. These elements create a flexible waterfront supporting both passenger and freight movement.
The MCT Master Plan is also a major step forward in the effort to build the Harbor of the Future – a reimagined network of innovation and growth across New York City’s waterways. The site will be an important cog in the Blue Highways Action Plan which identified potential activation sites, including MCT, to revive short sea shipping and maritime freight movement throughout New York City waterways.
During this administration, progress on the Blue Highways program has accelerated rapidly. In the past two years, more tangible steps have been taken than in the previous two decades, including the creation of pilot routes using existing City assets, the announcements of a new Hunts Point Marine Terminal, a micro-freight facility at Downtown Skyport, as well as the recently approved and historic Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) redevelopment project. which will transform BMT into a fully electric, modern maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community.
Enhanced public access and community engagement
Informed by extensive and long-standing community engagement, the Master Plan prioritizes vibrant, accessible public spaces, improved pedestrian and cyclist pathways, and expanded connections to the Hudson River waterfront. The project will create promenades, plazas, and terraces, giving residents and visitors unparalleled opportunities to enjoy the city’s iconic shoreline. These spaces will be integrated into the existing transportation network, improving north-south connections and providing direct access to public spaces throughout the site – including a new pedestrian bridge that would link the terminal with DeWitt Clinton Park, enhancing walkability and safety by eliminating the need for pedestrians to navigate across the West Side Highway. Additionally, widened sidewalks and high-visibility crosswalks will further enhance safety and the pedestrian experience while activating the waterfront for community use year-round.
As part of the commitment to delivering long-asked for wins to the community, NYCEDC will continue to engage with stakeholders, elected officials, and residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring the project remains responsive to community needs and local priorities.
“We applaud New York City’s bold and forward-looking vision to transform the Manhattan Cruise Terminal into a modern, sustainable maritime hub,” said Dan Farkas, Executive Vice President, chief development officer and general counsel at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “New York has been one of our most important homeports for decades, and this plan, along with continued investment in the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, strengthens the City’s position as a premier global cruise destination. As we continue to invest in new innovative ships and more sustainable operations, we’re proud of our shared commitment with the City to drive industry growth at and enhance the guest experience. Across our three award-winning brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, we look forward to welcoming even more guests to begin their journeys from the heart of New York Harbor.”
“Carnival Corporation and its cruise lines that call New York in both Manhattan and Brooklyn fully support the modernization of infrastructure across the Manhattan and Brooklyn Cruise Terminals,” said Karin Plettner, Vice President, global ports and destinations strategy, Carnival Corporation. “These improvements, including capabilities for shore power and other future-ready technologies, will allow our fleet to continue calling on New York well into the future while supporting long-term sustainability goals.”
“The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is one of the jewels along the Hudson River, bringing traditional maritime uses and community to the urban waterfront. This new plan expertly blends preservation of historic operation and jobs with robust integration of public access and public use opportunity, allowing the community and visitors to enjoy the waterfront and the beautiful ships arriving to the Greatest City,” said Luis Ajamil, Principal, Bermello Ajamil. “We are delighted to have worked with EDC on balancing sometimes competing demands in crafting this exciting and visionary plan. This is like nothing ever done before and will be accomplished in iconic fashion for an international port of entry serving the largest metropolitan economy in the world.”
“Cruise Canada New England is proud to see New York City advancing a bold, future-ready vision for the Manhattan Cruise Terminal,” said Cruise Canada New England Co-Chair Sarah Rumley. “The Master Plan reflects the region’s shared commitment to sustainable growth, world-class passenger experiences, and seamless connectivity across our cruise ports. As a gateway to our itineraries, New York’s modernization strengthens the entire CCNE network and reinforces the region’s leadership in responsible, resilient tourism.”
“The Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey welcomes New York City’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan, a transformative redevelopment plan outlining a modern, fully electrified, and resilient terminal,” said Executive Director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey Stephen Lyman. “By upgrading marine infrastructure, expanding shore power, and integrating community-focused improvements, the plan strengthens New York Harbor’s position as a global maritime hub while advancing the future needs of port operations. We look forward to continued partnership to ensure these investments deliver long-term economic benefits for the region.”
“Moran Towing is enthusiastic to support the plan for the transformation of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal,” said President & CEO of Moran Towing Corporation Ted Tregurtha. “The vision for the facility provides innovative and sustainable solutions that increase safety and environmental stewardship – aligned with our own goals and those of our mutual customers.”
“Metro Pilots commends the City of New York to stay competitive in the cruise industry,” said President of the Metro Pilots Association Jon Miller. “Although with any major change we anticipate challenges, as a port community we look forward to working together to stay relevant.”
“The Shipping Association of New York & New Jersey applauds the Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan as a transformative investment in our region’s maritime infrastructure and workforce,” said John J. Nardi, President of the Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey. “This plan strengthens New York City’s position as a premier global cruise destination while supporting the longshore men and women of the ILA who help make cruise operations possible. The Master Plan also contributes to a revitalized working waterfront that will benefit all sectors of New York Harbor, from passenger operations to marine freight.”
“The Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform MCT into an innovative, world-class facility that serves both the City and the cruise industry,” said Hatch’s Global Managing Director, Transportation, Water, and Tunnelling, Robert Francki. “Hatch is proud to have worked alongside NYCEDC and our teaming partners to bring this vision to life with a smart solution that will generate economic benefit for New York City while representing a leap forward in decarbonizing the maritime industry.”
The announcement marks a major step forward in the New York City’s efforts to build the Harbor of the Future – a reimagined network of innovation and growth across the city’s waterways. In addition to a modern maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community hub at , the Harbor of the Future includes emerging innovation centers such as the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx; the newly-announced climate innovation hub “BATWorks” at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park; the country’s largest offshore wind port at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal; the Science Park and Research Campus in Kips Bay in Manhattan; new sustainable housing and public space on the North Shore of Staten Island; and an anchor research and educational partnership with the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island.