A study is conducted for the potential addition of another cruise ship dock at Cozumel because of the continued increase in passenger numbers.
According to statistics from Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo, over 3.1 million cruise guests have already arrived on the island in 2018.
This is the reason why representatives of 2 environmental organizations were asked to analyze the possible building of a 4th cruise terminal regarding environmental impact for the isle in its terrestrial and marine zones.
Both Noemi Guadalupe Martín Cab head of Conservation, Research & Environmental Management of Cozumel and Guadalupe Alvarez Chulim de Azueta of Cielo, Tierra y Mar, expressed their concern about approving construction for a new terminal.
They agreed that the population should be consulted as well as made aware of the project's characteristics, the social, economic, environmental impacts and the generation of mobility, transportation, waste and provision of public services.
According to Alvarez, although the economic flow was good, it was very minimal in case one took into account the real economic benefits were in the hands of small group of entrepreneurs and boat companies themselves.
Noemi Martin raised the fact that so far what was known was that Disney Cruise Line was the one that was interested in building the cruise dock, but added that there were very few days in a year that cruise ships could not dock due to the ship terminals being filled.
In June 2016, the plan to build a 4th cruise dock was rejected by local residents following public consultation. It was to be located in front of Marina Banco Playa (Puerto de Abrigo) on the island's north side. At the time, residents of Cozumel said they didn't need the 4th dock, considering it unnecessary.