By
Laura Hyde |
Tarragona Cruise Port in Spain has celebrated the opening of its new cruise terminal at the 64th edition of the MedCruise General Assembly.
Mehmet Kutman, chairman and CEO of port operator Global Ports Holding (GPH), who commissioned the new building was joined at the opening ceremony by Saül Garreta, the president of the Port of Tarragona, mayor of Tarragona Rubén Viñuales, MedCruise president Figen Ayan and representatives from tourism authorities.
“I am very proud as we inaugurate the new sustainable cruise terminal, symbolising the start of a new journey for Tarragona Cruise Port under the management of Global Ports Holding,” said Kutman. “Together, we are not just opening a port; we are opening doors to new possibilities and a brighter future for everyone connected to this beautiful city.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open Tarragona’s new cruise terminal
The terminal, which has a cafe, gift shop and tourist information centre, was designed with a focus on functionality and energy efficiency. It features solar panels, which GPH hopes will enable the efficient management of natural resources. The shore power capability on the terminal’s dock is expected to be operational by 2026.
“Having this new infrastructure makes it possible to offer a much more convenient and agile operation,” said Garreta. “This is a very important step forward which, along with the electrification of the dock, will allow this activity to be decarbonised in the port and achieve a more sustainable cruise activity on the Costa Daurada.”
MedCruise president Figen Ayan speaking at the opening ceremony
GPH invested €5.5 million ($5.9 million) in the project and the Port of Tarragona invested €1 million ($1.07 million) to adapt the dock. An off-site industrialised modular system, designed by Hombre de Piedra Arquitectos, was used to construct the terminal in Almeria, Spain, before assembly in Tarragona. This approach resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in waste and a 60 per cent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions during the construction phase compared with traditional methods.
In the 2023 cruise season, the Port of Tarragona welcomed 57 cruise ship calls, 21 more than the previous year. The number of cruise guests passing through the port has increased by 80 per cent since 2021, coming close to the record 128,000 passengers of 2019. The new terminal is expected to ensure further increases in passenger numbers can be dealt with efficiently.
“In all respects, the Tarragona brand acquires a new dimension with this terminal and it is our commitment that, with the arrival of cruise ships, we will take our brand to the highest levels of prestige and recognition, while maintaining our commitment to sustainable tourism,” said Viñuales.