By
Alex Smith |
MSC Cruises has obtained final approval from the Port of Barcelona’s board of directors to build and operate an exclusive cruise terminal at the Spanish port.
The multi-year concession will see the cruise line construct the 11,670-square-metre terminal, which it will then operate and manage for a 31-year period. The project is expected to cost €33 million ($40.2 million) and construction will begin shortly, with the new terminal set to become operational in 2024.
“We are particularly pleased with the award of this multi-year new terminal concession,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises. “Barcelona is not only an important homeport for the cruises division, but also for the entire group and its shipping business. As such, the new terminal is a further proof of MSC Group’s longstanding commitment to the city of Barcelona and the entire Catalonia region.”
MSC is partnering with Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and his studio for the design of the terminal. The new facility will feature shore power facilities and be prepared for LNG bunkering operations, which will allow the cruise line to potentially deploy MSC World Europa, its first LNG-powered cruise ship, at the port when she enters service in 2022.
“Perhaps most importantly, the new terminal will allow us to operate expanded homeport operations, resulting in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and the overall region,” said Vago.