The Port of Los Angeles has moved to strengthen its position in the cruise trade by selecting Pacific Cruise Terminals, LLC to develop and operate a new cruise terminal at Outer Harbor and to undertake the redevelopment and continued operation of the existing World Cruise Center. Pacific Cruise Terminals is a joint venture formed by Carrix, Inc. and JLC Infrastructure, combining terminal operating experience with infrastructure investment capacity.
The decision comes at a moment of sustained growth for the port’s cruise business. During 2025, Los Angeles recorded 241 cruise ship calls and handled a record 1.6 million passengers, with each vessel call contributing an estimated US$1.3 million in economic activity to the region. Port leadership has framed the new development as a means of capturing a larger share of this expanding market while positioning Los Angeles as the principal cruise gateway on the U.S. West Coast. The scale of the investment is also presented as a long-term benefit for surrounding harbor communities through increased commercial activity and waterfront development.
Plans for the Outer Harbor terminal emphasize accommodation for newer generations of cruise ships, including those designed with improved environmental performance. Beyond ship handling, the project is intended to reshape the waterfront through the inclusion of open public spaces, recreational amenities, and improved access to the harbor for residents and visitors.
Carrix brings to the project its standing as one of the world’s largest independent operators of marine and intermodal terminals and the leading cruise terminal operator in North America. Its portfolio, together with that of its partners, includes both cargo and cruise facilities across Southern California. Company leadership has characterized the selection as a continuation of Carrix’s work in large-scale maritime infrastructure, with an expectation that the combined development and redevelopment effort will generate measurable economic returns for the port and the wider harbor area.
Within Carrix’s cruise division, the project is seen as closely aligned with current industry conditions. Cruise operators are in the midst of an extensive newbuild cycle, introducing larger vessels with more advanced technology and greater operational demands. The proposed cruise center is described as a necessary step in ensuring Los Angeles can function effectively as a homeport for these ships and compete with other major cruise gateways along the Pacific coast.
JLC Infrastructure, which manages approximately US$2.3 billion in assets across transportation, energy, and communications, adds an infrastructure investment dimension to the partnership. Its transportation holdings include airport and logistics-related projects such as parking operations at Northeastern University, the LAX Airport Cargo Modernization Project, and the New Terminal One development at John F. Kennedy International Airport. From JLC’s perspective, Los Angeles represents a strategic node for Pacific Coast cruising, where increased passenger volumes and a reconfigured waterfront are expected to translate into tangible gains for the port, local businesses, and the surrounding community.