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Plans for a dedicated cruise terminal in Manila are moving toward the construction stage, with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) working to finalize a long-term lease for the site before the end of 2026. The proposed facility, valued at ~P5 billion, is intended to establish Manila as a homeport for cruise vessels and provide dedicated infrastructure for the country's expanding cruise market.
The PPA is negotiating a 25-year lease with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), with an option to extend the agreement for another 25 years. PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the agencies were still finalizing the terms, but the objective was to sign the agreement and begin ground preparation before the end of the year.
The terminal is planned for the end of Aseana Avenue in Entertainment City, ~10 minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Its location will place the facility close to Solaire Resort Entertainment City, SMDC Festival Grounds, City of Dreams Manila and Okada Manila, as well as a concentration of hotels and residential developments.
According to preliminary plans, the terminal will be capable of handling up to four cruise ships simultaneously. The associated marine infrastructure is expected to provide vessels with a navigational channel extending up to one kilometre in width and 15 kilometres in length, with the PRA expected to take cruise-ship navigation requirements into account when considering future reclamation projects.
The proposed development is intended to go beyond the function of a conventional passenger terminal. Its concept draws on Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal model, combining cruise processing with dining, retail, leisure and other visitor facilities. The objective is to give passengers a dedicated destination within the port area rather than requiring them to leave the terminal zone for tourism and recreational activities.
The project is also designed to replace the current arrangement at Pier 15, where cruise vessels share facilities with other port activities and Philippine Coast Guard assets. The PPA previously identified the development of a permanent international cruise terminal as a way to improve Manila's infrastructure for cruise tourism and create a more suitable arrival facility for international passengers.
The investment comes as the Philippines records increasing cruise traffic. PPA figures cited in the latest project update show that the country received 226,247 cruise visitors in 2025, compared with 150,903 in 2024. Cruise operators calling at Philippine ports in 2026 include major international and Asian brands, further increasing the demand for dedicated passenger infrastructure.
Manila is part of a broader national effort to expand the Philippines' position in the regional cruise market. Beyond the proposed Manila facility, the PPA is developing or supporting cruise-capable infrastructure at ports including Currimao, Salomague, Coron and Puerto Princesa, while additional projects are planned at Alegria in Aklan, Catagbacan in Bohol and Balbagon in Camiguin.
The Manila terminal therefore represents a central element of the country's longer-term cruise infrastructure strategy. If the lease agreement is concluded as planned and construction begins before the end of 2026, the project will mark a further step toward establishing the capital as a dedicated base for international cruise operations.
