London mayor Boris Johnson has backed plans for the terminal, which will be around a quarter of a mile to the east of the Cutty Sark. It will allow ships up to 820ft long to dock, carrying around 1,500 passengers.
Ships smaller than this size can already dock further upstream at Tower Bridge, but bigger vessels currently have to moor mid-river in Greenwich and deliver passengers by tender.
The go-ahead was given following an independent air quality consultancy that said mooring of the vessels would affect air quality on occasions.
About 55 ships a year are expected to use the facility at Enderby Wharf. They will be required to burn low sulphur fuel on their approach to London and while in port.
The development around the terminal will include restaurants, cafes and bars.
