By
Alex Smith |
Tarragona Port Authority has awarded cruise port operator Global Ports Holding (GPH) a 12-year concession, with an additional six-year extension option, to build and manage a new cruise terminal at the Spanish port.
Under the terms of the agreement, GPH will invest up to €5.5 million ($6.12 million) into building a new modular cruise terminal, which will use solar power to provide its energy needs. New retail, food and beverage options will be provided for guests, along with new coach and car parking facilities. The modular design of the terminal will allow it to be adapted in the future to meet changing capacity needs.
The addition of Tarragona to GPH’s cruise port network means that the total number of cruise ports GPH operates and manages will rise to 23.
"Tarragona Cruise Port is an important addition to our cruise port network, strengthening our growing presence and capabilities in the Iberian Peninsula and the West Med,” said Emre Sayin, CEO of Global Ports Holding. “We are very grateful to Tarragona Port Authority for placing their trust in GPH as the operator of Tarragona Cruise Port and we very much look forward to working with all stakeholders to grow cruise passenger volumes in Tarragona sustainably and responsibly."
The authority recently completed a €30 million ($33.4 million) investment programme for improvements to the port infrastructure, including the construction of a new cruise pier in the Moll de Balears. This new infrastructure now allows the port to receive calls from the largest cruise ships in the world, while total berth capacity has been increased to four ships at any one time. In addition, shore power can now be provided to cruise ships while they are in port.
"The award of the new cruise terminal in the Moll de Balears represents a great additional boost for a project that the Port shares with the City of Tarragona, tourist agents and companies of our territory and of the Costa Daurada,” said Josep M. Cruset, president of the Port of Tarragona. “From now on, we have a partner like GPH to give the final push to the cruise project thanks to its excellent position in the market, its track record, its experience and its professionalism.”