Port of Barcelona has resumed a public call for tenders for awarding the construction and operation of the planned cruise terminal ‘G’ on Adossat wharf.
The call for tenders had already been approved by the Management Board meeting in November, 2022, but was rejected by the port governing body last March following an analysis of the technical specifications performed in response to consultations by stakeholders.
Thus far, two companies have expressed interest: Catalonia Cruise Terminal, belonging to the Royal Caribbean group; and a joint venture involving Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises and Virgin Cruises.
Terminal ‘G’ will have an area under concession of over 54,000 sq m and a wharf length of 450 m, making it suitable for receiving cruise ships up to 400 m long.
These characteristics are included in the call for tenders’ technical specifications, which indicate that the successful applicant must contribute significant turnaround port traffic (embarkation and/or disembarkation), which generates the most added value to the city.
It should also be noted that turnaround cruise passengers at Barcelona currently account for 58% of the total number handled.
The tender process also stipulates the introduction of major environmental improvements, such as the use of renewable energy in the terminal or launching services to facilitate sustainable mobility of passengers, such as a bus service connecting to the terminal with El Prat airport or Sants station.
In a similar vein, all vessels built after 2010 must connect to the power grid while docked using the OPS (onshore power supply) systems to be installed throughout the Adossat wharf.
Ships docking at this wharf will also be able to refuel with LNG.
Bringing terminal ‘G’ on stream will mark an important step towards finalising the transfer of all cruise activity to Adossat wharf, where all the cruise terminals will be concentrated, and which is located further away from the city.
Limiting the port to seven terminals, all of which will be located on Adossat wharf, is one of the conditions included in the agreement signed in January, 2018 between Port of Barcelona President, Sixte Cambra and Barcelona Mayor, Ada Colau to improve port/city integration.
This agreement included a series of actions to be completed by 2028, which will make it possible to better integrate the port into the city in order to increase the economic impact that this sector generates in Barcelona and to improve the services offered to shipping companies and passengers.
The World Trade Centre’s current North and South terminals will be closed and this area will be re-opened to the public.
