MSC Miami Cruise Terminal
DeSimone served as Prime Consultant for the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal at PortMiami, managing all phases of this $450 million project from concept through construction, including contractor coordination, structural and façade design, and specialty testing.
The 492,678-SF cruise ship terminal—the largest of its kind in the western hemisphere—processes 36,000 passengers daily and accommodates three MSC vessels simultaneously, supported by an adjacent 1.2-million-SF garage.
| Client | Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. | Fincantieri Infrastructure S.P.A. |
|---|---|
| Architect: | Arquitectonica |
| Size | 4 Stories | 492,678 SF (45,771 SM) |
| Sustainability | LEED Certified (Pending) |
| Office: | Miami |
| Completion: | 2025 |
The project presented a unique blend of structural, environmental, and logistical complexity. To mitigate uplift and accommodate multi-story cantilevers, we engineered a long-span composite steel system that supports the terminal’s expansive public areas and sculptural roofline. Using 6,000 tons of Italian-fabricated steel, this system required dual-standard modeling and meticulous coordination between global teams.
Our façade engineering included a fully custom curtain wall system, impact-rated for High Velocity Hurricane Zone conditions and tested for structural integrity, air/water infiltration, and projectile resistance. Sloped walls and nontraditional support geometries demanded advanced coordination between the building envelope and structural systems.
We also addressed sea-level rise projections, designed for Category 3 hurricane events, and supported LEED certification through strategies like shore power integration and high-performance glazing. The result is a durable, high-capacity terminal built to serve the next generation of ocean liners while enhancing resilience at one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.
