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The Independent
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
What Barcelona port terminal closures mean for cruise passengers
The number of cruise terminals at the Port of Barcelona are set to be reduced by the end of the decade in an effort to address concerns about overtourism in the city. Barcelona City Council and the Port of Barcelona have unveiled plans to reduce the number of passenger cruise terminals from seven to five. Under the plans, terminals A, B and C will be demolished as part of a €185m (£160m) project. A new terminal will be built on the site of terminal C that will have capacity for 7,000 passengers at any given time. The changes will reduce Barcelona's maximum cruise capacity from 37,000 passengers to 31,000 per day. This could alter how often ships visit Barcelona. The new terminal will prioritise cruise lines that start or end at the port, plus small vessels and those that stay overnight, according to the announcement. Work will begin at the end of next year and the new terminal will be complete by 2030. It won't affect terminals D and E, which are operated by Carnival Corporation, Terminal H, operated by MSC Cruises, or Terminal G, run by Royal Caribbean Group. There will be a €90m (£78m) expansion to the Porta d'Europa bridge that links the wharf with the city. More shuttle services, and crowd-monitoring information screens, have been proposed. Onshore power supplies will be installed to help ships reduce their engine emissions while in-port. A study has also been commissioned to see how cruise passengers move around the city as part of a new sustainable mobility plan. Barcelona is Europe's largest cruise port and, according to the proposal, has seen a 20 per cent increase in passengers since 2018. Of 12.8 million cruise passengers who visited Spanish ports last year, 3.7 million came to Barcelona. This has prompted protests about overtourism and overcrowding in the city. The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, said the growth cannot be infinite, adding: 'For the first time in history, a limit is being placed on the growth of cruises in the city. 'The current management of tourism involves setting limits and managing better.' Barcelona has been scaling back cruise operations since 2018, moving from the city centre to Adossat Wharf, before closing its North Terminal, located near La Rambla, in 2023. A statement from the port said: 'The agreement will reduce the number of cruise terminals at the Port of Barcelona and will roll out a series of projects to improve passenger mobility and make it more sustainable, moving forward in the responsible management of cruises and improving the coexistence between port activity and the city.' A spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) trade body, said: "While cruise visitors currently represent less than five per cent of total tourists to Barcelona, cruise tourism contributes more than €1bn (£867m) annually to the Catalan economy and supports over 9,000 jobs, according to the University of Barcelona. 'Ensuring the sector's continued contribution – while enhancing sustainability – requires a thoughtful, collaborative approach, and we welcome the opportunity for ongoing dialogue and partnership with the Port of Barcelona, the City Council, and regional authorities. 'By working together, we can ensure that cruise tourism continues to be a well-managed, economically valuable, and increasingly sustainable part of Barcelona's future. "Cruise tourism is managed tourism, with scheduled arrivals planned years in advance and supported by guided excursions, and coordinated transportation, allowing for better tourism management and oversight."
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Forbes
Turnaround Ports Are The Cities That Power The Cruise Industry
The Port of Barcelona in Spain is Europe's busiest turnaround port, and a popular cruise destination too. getty Each year, millions of travelers board cruise ships to explore the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and destinations as far afield as Alaska, Asia and the Norwegian fjords. But before the vacations begin, there is an essential logistical operation that takes place in a handful of global ports. While most people think of cruise ports as picturesque destinations to visit for a day, turnaround ports are the operational heart of the cruise industry. They handle the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, loading of fresh food and supplies, fueling, crew changes, waste removal, and customs clearance for both people and goods. A turnaround port is where a cruise itinerary begins and ends. Passengers arrive, go through security and check-in, and board the ship. At the end of the voyage, they disembark and collect their luggage. The cruise line uses this port to fully service the ship before the next group of travelers arrives. This is different from transit ports, which cruise ships visit during a voyage rather than at the beginning or end. For example, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the most visited cruise destinations in the Caribbean, but it functions almost entirely as a transit port. In contrast, ports like Miami and Port Canaveral are among the world's busiest turnaround ports, where cruises originate and terminate, and full ship servicing takes place between sailings. Days spent in turnaround ports are intense. Thousands of passengers can disembark and be replaced by new ones in the space of just six to eight hours. Ocean Terminal is one of five main cruise ship terminals in Southampton, England. David Nikel Behind the scenes, trucks deliver fresh produce, beverages, and bedding. Waste is removed. Fuel is loaded. Crew members rotate. Local authorities conduct inspections. Everything runs on a strict timeline to ensure the ship can leave on schedule. The World's Busiest Turnaround Ports The cruise industry is concentrated in a few key regions, which is reflected in the world's busiest turnaround ports. Florida dominates the list, thanks to its proximity to the Caribbean and year-round warm weather. PortMiami remains the world's busiest cruise port, with 8.23 million passengers processed in 2024. Nearby Port Canaveral is a close second, handling 7.6 million passengers in the same year. Port Everglades, located in Fort Lauderdale, handled over 4 million cruise guests in 2024. These ports are home to the biggest ships in the world and are key hubs for major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and MSC Cruises. In Europe, Barcelona leads the way as the continent's top turnaround port, welcoming more than 3.6 million passengers in 2024. Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, and Southampton in the U.K. are also major homeports serving Mediterranean and Northern European routes. In Asia, Singapore and Shanghai have emerged as important turnaround ports as cruise lines expand operations in the region. Singapore, in particular, has invested heavily in cruise infrastructure and markets itself to cruise lines as a gateway to Southeast Asia. Why Turnaround Ports Matter Cruise lines are competing not only on onboard experiences but also on how seamlessly they can get guests on and off the ship. Turnaround ports that invest in efficient infrastructure, accessibility, and passenger experience stand to gain more cruise traffic in the coming years. Turnaround ports are logistical hubs for cruise lines but also major economic drivers for their cities and regions. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), each homeport call generates millions of dollars in local spending. For most cruise guests, the turnaround port is their first impression of the vacation. A smooth embarkation process sets the tone for the trip. Delays, long queues, or unclear signage can frustrate passengers before they even set foot onboard. Some even function as tourism destinations in their own right. The likes of Barcelona and Miami are destinations where cruise travelers often choose to arrive a day or two early, extending their vacation. Turnaround ports may not be the highlight of a cruise itinerary, but for millions of travelers, they mark both the beginning and the end of a memorable journey. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To Plan A Norwegian Fjords Cruise In 2025 By David Nikel Forbes New To Cruising? These 5 Cruise Traditions May Surprise You By David Nikel Forbes Avoid These 10 Rookie Mistakes On Your First Cruise By David Nikel
