Construction has begun on a new cruise terminal at Naha Port, in Okinawa, Japan. Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises have announced that the groundbreaking ceremony took place on 2 October 2026, together with the Naha Port Authority and Cruise Port Naha G.K., the company that will build and operate the terminal. The terminal is expected to open in March 2028.
Who is behind the project
Cruise Port Naha G.K. is a joint venture between CTL Maritime and RCL Cruises Ltd., which represent MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group respectively. In August 2026 the company signed a cruise hub formation agreement with the Naha Port Authority, under which it will develop and operate the new terminal.
The project follows the designation of Naha in 2019 by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as an International Cruise Ship Hub Formation Port. According to the companies, the terminal will have new passenger facilities and will allow the port to receive larger and more modern ships, in response to the growing demand for cruises in Asia. Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, can be reached by sea all year round.
Statements
Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, described Japan as one of the group’s most important cruise markets in Asia and said that the investment in Naha will also benefit the local community.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the cruise division of MSC Group, said that the project is part of the company’s plan to expand its presence in the region and to offer cruises in Asia all year round with MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
The ceremony
The event included a traditional Japanese ceremony at the site of the future terminal. It was attended by the Governor of Okinawa, Genta Koja, representatives of the Cabinet Office of Japan and representatives of the Naha Port Authority, Cruise Port Naha G.K., MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group.
