URL copied to the clipboard!
Royal Caribbean Group is reimaging the cruise terminal experience by constructing the world’s first LEED Zero Energy cruise facility. The $125 million, 161,334-square-foot, state-of-the-art Galveston Cruise Terminal is the latest effort by the company on its sustainability journey to provide the best vacations responsibly.
The grand opening of the terminal on November 9, 2022, which will be used by the company’s brand Royal Caribbean International, will mark the first time The Port of Galveston welcomes the brand’s signature Oasis Class, the world’s largest cruise ships, with the arrival of Allure of the Seas and the first time the company is bringing its frictionless arrival and departure process to Texas.
From concept to construction, Royal Caribbean Group thoughtfully approached design strategies that aligned with its wholistic environmental goals, its focus to advance the development of sustainable infrastructure as well as its decarbonization strategy — Destination Net Zero. By developing an alternative power solution to operate the Galveston Terminal and promoting alternative transportation solutions, the company is staying true to its promise to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The 100% solar-powered terminal will feature a parking deck created by using 30,000 square feet of photovoltaic solar panels that will generate the energy needed to operate with zero reliance on the local grid. Any remaining energy not used by the terminal will be sent to the local power grid to support the surrounding communities.
“We are focused on innovating across all aspects of our company, especially in our work to advance sustainability in the communities we visit,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We deeply value both the oceans we sail and the communities we visit and operate in, and the modern design and development features at our terminal in Galveston will work in service of both.”
The team’s focus on improving sustainability in construction began by prioritizing lower carbon materials that produce less carbon footprint based on energy and during the transportation process. Inside the terminal, they installed materials with low or zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) content and enhanced air filtration media to minimize indoor pollution and provide occupant thermal comfort and controllability for our guests. Post-construction, the team diverted 75% of waste from landfills.
Implementing strategies to reduce exterior lighting pollution, which may help minimize negative effects on the night-time sky and the surrounding community and using lower carbon materials contribute to the regional and global environmental benefits the terminal will have.
The Galveston Terminal project offered the opportunity for the company to promote alternative transportation solutions. The terminal will provide bicycle facilities, Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations and supply the infrastructure to install eight more EV charging stations at the port to improve community connectivity and reduce transportation-related carbon emissions.
The terminal will be the first in Texas to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, an industry-leading certification expected to be received within the first two quarters of 2023. The Galveston terminal will mark our fourth LEED-certified facility and our first Gold certified. The previous projects include Terminal A at Port Miami; the Springfield, Oregon campus; and the Innovation Lab at Royal Caribbean Group’s corporate headquarters in Miami.
At Royal Caribbean Group, we believe in doing our part to advance sustainability in the communities we partner with. For more details about the upcoming terminal read the press release.