The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has released a comprehensive master plan to modernize the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT) in Hell’s Kitchen. Led by NYCEDC, maritime design firm Bermello Ajamil, and engineering consultants Hatch, the project will replace 90-year-old infrastructure, expand berthing capacity, and integrate sustainable energy systems. The initiative follows a year-long community engagement process and aims to enhance public access, reduce emissions, and support long-term growth in the city’s cruise and freight sectors.
Location of Manhattan Cruise Terminal, via NYC EDC.
The MCT Master Plan proposes replacing aging piers and facilities with a single terminal structure capable of hosting two 8,000-passenger ships and one 6,000-passenger vessel simultaneously. The plan also introduces new amenities for freight movement, including a Blue Highways marine freight landing and a potential ferry stop. Phase-based construction will ensure uninterrupted cruise operations. In 2024, the Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals welcomed approximately 1.5 million passengers, generating an estimated $500 million in economic impact and supporting nearly 3,000 local jobs.
A key feature of the plan is the implementation of shore power across the terminal, enabling docked vessels to connect to the city’s electrical grid and shut down their engines. The site will also include renewable energy systems such as solar panels and thermal exchange cooling. These upgrades align with FEMA flood elevation standards and broader city efforts to decarbonize maritime infrastructure. The project follows similar recent improvements at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and supports the city’s Blue Highways program to reduce truck traffic and expand zero-emission freight delivery.
Sketch of new Manhattan Cruise Terminal, via NYC EDC.
Public realm enhancements include expanded pedestrian and bike access, new plazas, and a pedestrian bridge connecting to DeWitt Clinton Park. Widened sidewalks and high-visibility crosswalks will further improve safety and accessibility throughout the terminal area. These upgrades aim to activate the waterfront as a year-round public space while maintaining its function as a working port.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Will they be giving back the space for the Greenway that they took away to create a shoulder in the fenced in cruise road?
That is, will they have distinct pedestrian and bike baths rather than jamming them in together like it is now?
It’s a horrible place now, with passengers dumped on the wrong side of the West Side Highway and priority should be given to access over the road.
Finally connecting ships to shore power has taken far too long, and will be a small improvement to a dirty and problematic industry.
8,000-passenger ships?..that’s ridiculous.
Ships are getting bigger and bigger. They look so top heavy now it seems they might go over sideways. Hopefully, the naval architects have this figured out better than the Citicorp Building.
Man the lifeboats!
This area needs to be cleaned up at improved with much better public access and walk ways.