The London Assembly has approved a plan for a cruise liner terminal as part of the Enderby Wharf, SE10, redevelopment scheme.
The wharf will join a development of 477 homes, a 251-bedroom hotel plus a skills academy and restaurant and bars.
Up to 55 cruise liners are expected to use the site, which will be ready for use in 2017.
The site had been given initial planning permission in 2012 but new European emissions regulations required a reappraisal of the site to accommodate the capability of cruise ships to stay longer at berth.
The terminal will be able to accommodate liners up to 820ft in length and is expected to bring thousands of additional tourists into London.
