Cruise Terminal 16 Earns LEED Silver Certification

Cruise Terminal 16 Earns LEED Silver Certification

July 1, 2026

GALVESTON, Texas (July 1, 2026) – The Port of Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 16 has been recognized for meeting high standards for environmentally sustainable design, construction and operations with Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

Opened in 2025, Cruise Terminal 16 was developed with a focus on environmental responsibility, energy efficiency and long-term sustainability. Features include energy-efficient building systems, water-saving fixtures, environmentally responsible construction materials, a reduced parking footprint, reduced outdoor lighting impacts, and water-efficient landscaping.

By converting two decades-old warehouses into a state-of-the-art,165,000-square-foot terminal, the project reused approximately 85 percent of existing structural elements, significantly reducing materials consumption and other environmental impacts associated with new construction.

Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees said, “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 noted that this is the second cruise terminal at the port to earn LEED certification. Cruise Terminal 10, home to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, boasts LEED Gold certification, as well as LEED Zero Energy and LEED Zero Carbon certifications.

The LEED rating system is the world's most widely used green building certification program. LEED-certified buildings are designed to reduce energy and water consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor environmental quality and support sustainable construction practices.

“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. “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. It meets cruise industry needs for future growth and the port’s mission of being a major economic engine for business and jobs growth.”

In April, Houston Business Journal recognized the Cruise Terminal 16 as one of the best real estate projects in greater Houston with a Landmark Award for design, economic impact and environmental sustainability.

About the Port of Galveston

Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, the Port of Galveston has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo, commercial and shipbuilding businesses. 

The port is the fourth-ranked cruise home port in the U.S. with four cruise terminals. In 2026 the port forecasts 446 sailings and 3.9 million passenger movements, a new record for the port. 

The port also leases and maintains a wide range of cargo facilities on the deep-water Galveston Harbor, which is ranked among the top 40 busiest U.S. cargo waterways. The Galveston Wharves is a self-sustaining city entity whose mission is to generate and reinvest port revenues to benefit the Galveston community with economic growth, jobs and sales tax revenues. www.portofgalveston.com

Media Contact:
Kathy Thomas, Communications Director
Galveston Wharves
kathy@communitystrategiesllc.com