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MSC Cruises Invested Nearly $1B Into Local Projects, Says Chairman

GRAND BAHAMA, THE BAHAMAS – Global cruise line MSC Cruises has invested nearly 1 billion dollars into projects in Grand Bahama and its private island, located just a few miles off of Bimini.

Published

2 months ago

February 13, 2026

Joshua Williams

GRAND BAHAMA, THE BAHAMAS – Global cruise line MSC Cruises has invested nearly 1 billion dollars into projects in Grand Bahama and its private island, located just a few miles off of Bimini.

Chairman of MSC Cruises North America Rick Sasso, told attendees of the Grand Bahama Business Outlook that their investments won’t stop there. He pointed out that they recently signed a deal for a brand-new cruise terminal in Freeport.

Sasso called it just the tip of the iceberg.

Just a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Philip Davis, announced that MSC Cruises was investing 45 million dollars into a cruise terminal in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

That multi-million dollar facility will house a pier complex and berthing area, as well as new visitor and commercial infrastructure at the Billy Cay property.

Chairman of the global cruise line, Rick Sasso, said that it is it’s just the latest in a series of investments.

Rick Sasso – Chairman, MSC Cruises North America

“The redevelopment of the Freeport harbor and the expansion of Ocean Cay MSC marine reserve represent one of the most significant private-sector employment and local participation initiatives underway in the country. Together, these projects amount to nearly $1 billion USD in investment and are expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs while driving substantial economic activity nationwide. “

With a record 12.5 million visitors who came to our shores last year, Sasso said that the industry is booming.

Rick Sasso – Chairman, MSC Cruises North America

“Cruise tourism, who remains as one of the most powerful engines of the Bahamian economy, 10.5 million visitors last year,1 billion and economic impact and 14,000 jobs and those are thousands of small businesses that are connected to all of that so it’s not just those people, but it’s everything that that’s touched by them.”

Rick Sasso – Chairman, MSC Cruises North America

“These principles reflect how we walk alongside together The Bahamas and only investing in destinations is not not really what happens you’re investing in the people of a destination .”