Environmentalists Celebrate Cancellation of Fourth Cruise Pier in Cozumel

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Environmentalists are celebrating the definitive cancellation of a fourth cruise ship pier in Cozumel, while business leaders warn the reversal of a federal permit sends a message of uncertainty for future investments.

José Urbina, a diver and activist, called it an achievement to celebrate by all, as the cancellation protects a valuable habitat—the reef that was at risk not only from the pier but from the constant traffic of large ships in the area.

On February 26, 2026, officials confirmed through a notice that the General Directorate of Environmental Impact and Risk (DGIRA) of the Environment Ministry fully complied with a resolution ordering it to void the permit issued in December 2021, which had conditionally authorized the Fourth Pier project, and to re-evaluate the Environmental Impact Statement submitted by the project promoter.

In re-evaluating the statement, federal authorities had to consider elements previously omitted, including all information in the file, technical recommendations from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), the existence of the refuge for the protection of marine flora and fauna on the western coast of Cozumel Island, and applicable environmental regulations for the conservation of marine species and ecosystems.

After conducting the new evaluation, authorities denied authorization for the project, ordering the file archived as a matter totally and definitively concluded.

Carmen Joaquín Hernández, president of the Cozumel Business Coordinating Council, said beyond being a federal decision separate from island residents, the message sent is one of uncertainty, as there was a perfectly legal permit that the promoting company had, which ultimately was reversed.

“At the end of the day, we have always supported all investment projects, as long as they comply with required regulations; we did not ultimately understand the process for its revocation, in the end it is a decision by the authority and they must have had their justifications, but it is desirable that permits already granted not be reversed,” Hernández said.

She considered it necessary for all environmental evaluation procedures for projects of this magnitude to be properly reviewed, as it sends a very bad message to future investments.

She explained that while Cozumel does not need more cruise piers, it does need to be at the forefront, as new generations of ships demand modern docking systems, but above all green or sustainable technology that makes this industry more environmentally friendly.

However, she avoided commenting on the advisability of expanding the SSA Mexico pier, currently under environmental evaluation, which environmentalists have also said poses the same risk to Cozumel’s reefs as the recently canceled fourth pier.

The fourth cruise pier was one of 39 projects in the Economic Reactivation Agreement that the previous federal administration and the private sector announced in early October 2020.

Project Details

• An L-shaped pier covering 1.16 hectares, with 774 steel pilings, allowing docking of vessels up to 362 meters long, 66 meters wide, and with a draft of 9.32 meters, on Rafael E. Melgar Avenue.
• One two-level building on land covering 1.1 hectares for passenger arrival and boarding.
• One open commercial plaza with establishments of various types, and waiting areas for tours and excursions.
• Included a concrete platform-type pier with an elevator, a pedestrian staircase, and three escalators leading to a pedestrian bridge.