The Mexican government has approved an investment plan by SSA Marine México to expand the cruise port in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, with a total injection of 882 million pesos (approximately $44 million) aimed at accommodating up to four vessels simultaneously.
According to details revealed in the project submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), the expanded pier will measure 412 meters long by 24 meters wide. This represents an increase from its current length of 352 meters. Additionally, a new structure measuring 24 by 24 meters will also be constructed.
The expansion is expected to cater to large cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships Icon of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. The project has been met with criticism from environmental groups, who have voiced concerns that it may harm the coral farm managed by Coral Reef Restoration. This organization focuses on protecting and restoring endangered coral reefs.
Documents show that SSA Marine México has allocated 5,543,458 pesos to implement measures aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts of the project. The development comes as Cozumel continues to experience a surge in cruise tourism arrivals.
Recent statistics indicate that the island broke a record for cruise ship visitor numbers in the first quarter of 2025, with a total count of 1,502,727 visitors from this segment. This figure surpasses records set during the first three months of recent years, highlighting the growing importance of cruise tourism to Cozumel’s economy.
The expansion project has been welcomed by local authorities as an opportunity to boost economic growth in the region. However, environmental concerns and the potential impact on marine ecosystems remain a subject of debate among conservationists and policymakers.
Source: Reportur
