Galveston Newest Cruise Terminal Earns LEED Silver Certification

Galveston’s cruise port just got a major green upgrade — and it’s great news for eco-conscious cruisers.

Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 16 Earns LEED Silver Certification

The Port of Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 16 has officially earned a Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It’s one of the most respected green building standards in the country.

Galveston Is Building a Greener Port

This isn’t the port’s first green honor. Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees noted that Terminal 16 is actually the second cruise terminal at the port to earn LEED certification.

Cruise Terminal 10 — home to Royal Caribbean — holds an even higher LEED Gold rating. It has also earned LEED Zero Energy and LEED Zero Carbon certifications. That’s a remarkable achievement for any cruise facility.

What Makes Terminal 16 Stand Out

Terminal 16 opened in 2025 with sustainability at its core. The design team focused on energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and long-term sustainability from day one.

“Working with long-time port partners, architectural firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners and construction contractor Hensel Phelps, the port delivered a beautiful, environmentally sustainable cruise complex on time and on budget,” Rees said.

Here are some of the green features built into the terminal:

– Energy-efficient building systems – Water-saving fixtures – Environmentally responsible construction materials – A reduced parking footprint – Reduced outdoor lighting impacts – Water-efficient landscaping

Smart Reuse Cuts Waste

One of the most impressive parts of this project is how the terminal was built. The construction team converted old warehouses into a modern 165,000-square-foot facility. About 85% of the existing structural elements were reused. That means far less waste and fewer materials needed compared to building from scratch.

New Home for MSC and Norwegian Cruise Line

The terminal also brings exciting options for cruisers in the region. “It also allowed us to welcome two of the world’s major international cruise lines, MSC and Norwegian, giving our 46-million-person drive market two more great cruise vacation options,” Rees added.

That’s big news if you live within driving distance of Galveston. You now have even more choices for your next cruise departure.

Green Marine Certification Adds to the Honor

On top of the LEED recognition, the port also just earned its fifth straight recertification from Green Marine. Green Marine is a voluntary environmental program for the maritime industry. Earning it five years in a row shows real, consistent dedication to sustainability.

“We’re especially proud of this award because it’s another milestone in our progress as a Green Marine-certified port to improve air quality, reduce waste and take other steps to reduce environmental impacts on the waterfront,” Rees said.

The port first earned its Green Marine certification back in 2021. It has kept that certification every year since.

Why This Matters for Cruisers

More travelers are thinking about the environmental impact of their vacations. Knowing that a major U.S. cruise port is investing in green infrastructure is encouraging. The Port of Galveston is clearly setting a high bar for sustainable cruise operations.