Barcelona port, European leader and 6th globally, faces reduction of terminals and more cruise passengers

Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni said on July 17 that “for the first time in history, Barcelona will put limits on cruises.” That day, the city council and the Barcelona Port signed a protocol to reduce cruise terminals from seven to five.

The Catalan capital faces this reduction in cruise ship infrastructure as the continent's leader in passenger movement, and 6th in the world in such category.

Cruise ship passenger numbers are increasing all the time. In 2024, there were 3.6 million such travellers passing through Catalonia, a figure which was up 2.4% compared to the previous year. Yet, the rate of growth was slower than Europe's other top ports. So far this year, the numbers have grown a further 15.7%.

Ahead of Barcelona are the ports of the Caribbean: Miami and Canaveral in Florida, the United States, Nassau in the Bahamas, Cozumel in Mexico, and Everglades, also in Florida. Just behind Barcelona is Civitavecchia port in Rome.

Daniel Imbert-Bouchard, professor at the CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, an education center affiliated with the University of Barcelona, explained to the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the fact that the city has "a unique natural strategy" towards tourism, one that is also "oriented towards the Mediterranean."

However, he believes that the city's cruise tourism industry "cannot grow indefinitely," but he does not think that the effects of closing two port terminals will be felt immediately. 

The fact that it is "well connected" with the airport and other transport links makes it an attractive choice for many travellers.

In addition, Imbert-Bouchard highlights that the port is much closer to the city than in the case of other European capitals, such as Rome and Athens.

The director of the International Cruise Lines Association (CLIA), Alfredo Serrano, highlights the appeal of the Catalan capital for tourism and the good air connectivity with the United States as factors behind the port's success.

"A symbiotic relationship occurs. Cruise ships began to go to Barcelona, which improved connectivity with North America, which led to more Americans coming and airlines opening more and more routes," he explained in statements to ACN.

Serrano predicts that with the future expansion of Barcelona airport, the phenomenon could be repeated with the Middle East.