MEDIA

12 Jun 2024

Tarragona Cruise Port inaugurates sustainable new terminal at 64th MedCruise General Assembly

The day saw two consecutive events, a press conference prior to the 64th edition of MedCruise and the inauguration of the new terminal on the Balears Wharf.

The terminal commissioned by Global Ports Holding opted for an off-site industrialised modular construction system.

The Port of Tarragona has invested more than one million euros in work to adapt the dock.

5.5 million euros has been spent by Global Ports Holding on the new terminal.

Yesterday, Tuesday 11 June 2024, the Port of Tarragona saw a twin celebration in the cruise tourism sector. At 6 pm, the 64th edition of the MedCruise General Assembly was inaugurated and, an hour and a half later, on the Balears Wharf, the curtain rose on the new terminal of Tarragona Cruise Port. That event took place at 7:30 pm and was attended by prominent authorities and personalities from the region’s tourism and business sectors. The MedCruise Assembly had been scheduled for 2022. However, the different organising bodies brought both events together this June 11 to share with the whole sector these two milestones in Tarragona’s cruise project.

Prior to the 64th edition of MedCruise a press conference was held at the H10 Imperial Tarraco hotel. The emphasis was on Tarragona and the sustainable cruise project jointly agreed with the territory and promoted by the Port of Tarragona since 2013. The event was attended by Figen Ayan, president of MedCruise; Saül Garreta, president of the Port of Tarragona; and Rubén Viñuales, mayor of Tarragona. They fired the starting pistol for the General Assembly and highlighted the importance of the cruise sector for the region’s economy, as well as giving the news and future prospects in the industry .

64th edition of MedCruise

The MedCruise Assembly was due to be held in 2022, but the different organising bodies decided to bring both events together this 11 June to share these two milestones in Tarragona’s cruise project with the whole sector. The initial press conference in the city was followed by the inauguration of the new terminal of Tarragona CruisePort. The MedCruise association brings together the different actors related to cruise activity, including shipping companies, port agents, tourism boards and other businesses linked to the sector. The 64th edition of the MedCruise assembly, co-organised with the Port of Tarragona, will be held from June 11 to 14. Participants include a total of 21 shipping companies, 13 invited journalists from 11 specialist media and 4 associate members, as well as 24 agents from 18 cruise companies. These figures, advanced by the highest representative of the association during the most important fair of the sector in Miami (USA), Seatrade Cruise Global, place this edition in record figures of participation compared to previous events.

Inauguration of the Cruise Terminal

Once the MedCruise press conference had ended, those present headed to the Balears Wharf in the Port of Tarragona where, at 7:30 pm, the ceremony to inaugurate the new terminal of Tarragona Cruise Port was held.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mehmet Kutman, Chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding; Saül Garreta, president of the Port of Tarragona; Rubén Viñuales, mayor of Tarragona; Carles Brull, representative of the Tarragona Provincial; Figen Ayan, president of MedCruise; Angel Xifré, territorial delegate of the Government of Tarragona; Josep Pallarès, Rector of the Rovira i Virgili University; Laura Roigé, president of the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce; Fernando Aldecoa, director general of PortAventura World and Berta Cabré, president of the Tarragona Hospitality and Tourism Business Federation (FEHT).

Official opening ceremony of the new terminal

Shortly after seven in the evening, the first people invited to the event began to arrive at the Balears Wharf, while the evening was brightened up with the presence of the “Giants” and “Nanos” from the El Serrallo fishing quarter, who added a festive touch of folklore to the event.

Then, at 7:40 pm, the doors of the new cruise terminal, the star event, were opened, marking the official start of the ceremony. Alba Colet, director of Tarragona Cruise Port, welcomed the attendees with a short speech at the terminal gates.

Afterwards, Javier Rodríguez, Regional Director of the Western Mediterranean and Asia for Global Ports Holding, delivered his opening speech, followed by Mr. Mehmet Kutman, Chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding.

Mr. Mehmet Kutman, Chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding, emphasized, "I am very proud as we inaugurate the new sustainable cruise terminal, symbolizing the start of a new journey for Tarragona Cruise Port under the management of Global Ports Holding. 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.

As the world's largest cruise port operator, we are committed to contributing to the cruise industry's ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Environmentally friendly technologies and practices, from the use of renewable energy to the efficient management of natural resources, have been thoughtfully integrated into both the terminal's construction and its future operations.

I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Tarragona Port Authority and all local stakeholders for their invaluable support and collaboration, which have been instrumental in making today’s milestone a reality. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration and to making a significant and positive impact on cruise tourism in Tarragona."

Figen Ayan, President of MedCruise, continued with the speeches and the projection of a video about the Costa Daurada. Next, Carles Brull, representative of the Tarragona Provincial, addressed a few words to the attendees.

Rubén Viñuales, Mayor of Tarragona, then took the floor, ‘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. In this sense, going hand in hand with allies such as Global Ports Holding and especially the Port of Tarragona, unequivocally committed to the environment, represents a guarantee of doing things right’ . And to end the round of speeches it was the turn of Saül Garreta, president of the Port of Tarragona. He highlighted the sustainable tourism and territorial model defended by the Institutional Cruise Committee that it is reflected in the terminal's sustainable building and the port’s investments in the electrification of the Balears Wharf.

During the ceremony, the different authorities highlighted the importance of this new infrastructure for the development of the region’s tourism and the improvement it will mean for the cruise passengers who visit us. The new terminal has modern facilities and first-class services ready to welcome state-of-the-art cruise ships and offer a unique experience to visitors.

The inauguration of the new cruise terminal marks a before and after for the Port of Tarragona and reiterates its commitment to the sustainable growth and tourism promotion of the Costa Daurada. T

he ceremony culminated with the ribbon cutting and the official photograph. Afterwards, the guests enjoyed a formal dinner, sharing impressions and celebrating the official entry into operation of the terminal and the start of the MedCruise Assembly.

The Balears Wharf and the new terminal

The new terminal of Tarragona Cruise Port is located on the Balears Wharf. This wharfwas built by the Tarragona Port Authority (TPA) in 18 months between 2020 and 2021 at a cost of 30 million euros. This investment allowed the improvement of the port infrastructure and the expansion of the surface area available for the operation of cruises with a berthing line of 759 metres and an esplanade of 40,000 m2.

The construction of the new cruise terminal on the Balears Wharf means having a new convenient and functional facility to provide a better service to cruise passengers. "Having this new infrastructure makes it possible to offer a much more convenient and agile operation", stated Saül Garreta, president of the Tarragona Port Authority. "This is a very important step forward," he affirmed, "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".

The qualitative improvement is reflected in the terminal's ample spaces devoted to welcoming passengers with all kinds of services from its launch in June 2024.

The new terminal of Tarragona Cruise Portspeeds up the embarkation and disembarkation operations of cruise passengers on the Balears Wharf. The interior design is open and spacious. This allows the interior spaces to be modulated depending on the needs that arise and thus to be able to better manage the flow of passengers. The building has checkpoints and customs, a waiting area with benches and bathrooms, a tourist information point, a cafe and a gift shop.

In addition, the Tarragona Port Authority (TPA) has set a date of 2026 for the entry into service of the OPS (Onshore Power Supply) on the Balears Wharf. It will be the first to have a system that allows ships docked at the port to connect to the electricity grid. The TPA will shortly invite tenders for the project worth 10.25 million euros and will be one of the first Spanish ports to offer this service to cruise liners.

Design and functionality

The new terminal of Tarragona Cruise Port is the result of an innovative and sustainable project operated by Global Ports Holding, which began construction in June 2023. With a built area of 2,200 m² and an investment of 5.5 million euros, this terminal represents a significant advancement for the region, laying the foundations for a notable transformation. The terminal was constructed using an offsite industrialised modular approach devised by the architectural studio Hombre de Piedra Arquitectos. Most of the construction work was carried out in a factory in Almeria, 700 kilometres away, where the building was manufactured almost entirely with concrete modules. These modules were subsequently transported to Tarragona and assembled on-site at the Port of Tarragona Balears Wharf.

Strategically located at the Moll de Balears of Port Tarragona, the new terminal has been meticulously designed with a focus on functionality, energy eco-efficiency with the installation of solar panels, and passenger comfort. From the use of renewable energy to the efficient management of natural resources, environmentally friendly technologies and practices have been integrated into both its construction and future operations.

Its avant-garde and ergonomic design guarantees a unique experience, offering high-quality services and amenities to meet the needs of the most demanding cruise passengers. Safety and accessibility have also been paramount in the terminal design. Advanced safety measures have been implemented and accessible spaces have been created to ensure that all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, can enjoy a comfortable and safe experience.

The terminal design anticipates the future evolution of the cruise industry, providing flexible, economical and simple solutions to meet the need to expand the building if market demand requires it. The interior space is also versatile, allowing it to host cultural and social events, especially in the low tourist season.

60% reduction in CO2 emissions

The Tarragona Cruise Port stands out for its commitment to sustainability and eco-efficiency. In its construction and future expansion operations, technologies and practices respectful of the environment have been integrated, from the use of renewable energies to the efficient management of natural resources. This will significantly reduce its environmental impact and contribute to the development of responsible tourism.

The industrialised offsite construction has achieved an impressive 50% reduction in waste generation and a 60% decrease in CO2 emissions during the construction phase, with an expectation of a 30% reduction during future operations in the terminal. In addition, there is a significant decrease in water consumption during the manufacturing and maintenance stages, along with a 40% reduction in energy use for air conditioning, demonstrating a genuine commitment to environmental sustainability.

Finally, the new facilities will have solar panels allowing them to be self-sufficient and sustainable in terms of energy.

Sustainable cruise tourism

The management of the cruise activity in Tarragona has singularities that make it much more sustainable than other places. First of all, the governance model is territorial through the Institutional Cruise Committee, in which the main local government administrations and businesses on the Costa Daurada tourism sector are represented. They work together to define the dimensions and approaches to sustainable cruise tourism. The Catalan Regional Government, the Tarragona Provincial Government, Rovira i Virgili University, the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce and the town councils of Tarragona, Reus and Vila-seca are represented on the committee. Other participants include PortAventura World, the region’s hotel associations and Eurecat.

Secondly, the scale of the project in Tarragona is nothing like that of the large cruise ports. The major Mediterranean cruise ports handle between 3 and 4 million passengers a year, compared to the 115,000 in Tarragona last year. This figure is expected to grow in a sustainable and consensual manner to avoid phenomena such as massification or gentrification.

In fact, Tarragona is a model with little congestion because, unlike the large Mediterranean ports, it promotes a capillary model in which the cruise passengers who visit it are not concentrated in the port city, but are distributed around different points tourist interest on the Costa Daurada, inland in the Camp de Tarragona and in the Terres de l'Ebre.

The evolution of cruises in Tarragona

The Port of Tarragona is the gateway to the Costa Daurada, a region with a great historical legacy, which has its roots in Roman Tarraco, a World Heritage Site since the year 2000, the medieval splendours such as the monasteries of Poblet and Santes Creus, the Modernist architecture of Gaudí, Domènech i Muntaner and Jujol from the beginning of the 20th century and the present-day landscapes of the Ebro Delta, a biosphere reserve.

Such a region does not go unnoticed and, in fact, has always attracted visitors from all over the world. But, more than 10 years ago, the challenge was to make it known as a cruise tourism destination. This challenge began to take shape in 2013 with the help of the Port of Tarragona. That year, the project crossed the port domains to evolve towards a common strategy for the whole territory. The Institutional Cruise Committee was set up, led by the Port of Tarragona and made up of all the agents involved in attracting and consolidating the cruise sector on the Tarragona coast.

As a result of this territorial alliance, the Port of Tarragona has managed to make the cruise project increasingly attractive to visitors, with passenger numbers that have been growing year after year since its launch. Only the global Covid 19 pandemic slowed down this sustained and sustainable growth in 2020. Since then the activity of the cruise sector has experienced a sustained recovery, demonstrated after the close of the 2023 financial year.

During the past season, 57 calls were made, compared to 36 in 2022, with a figure of 115,022 cruise passengers, which represents an increase of 80.1% compared to the passengers of the previous year (2021). These data surpass those of 2018 and come close to the figures of 2019, which with 128,000 passengers set the record for Tarragona. Forecasts for this 2024 season are for sixty calls and around 122,000 passengers, a figure very close to that of 2019 which closed with more than 128,000 passengers.

A destination that exceeds expectations

In 2023, the economic impact of cruise activity was more than 15,000,000 euros of passenger spending on leisure, transportation and dining, mainly according to CLIA standards and the Eurecat survey commissioned by the Institutional Cruise Committee.

In 2023, cruise passengers rated their satisfaction after visiting Tarragona at 8.9 out of 10. 54% stated that Tarragona had exceeded their expectations, a higher figure compared to 41.5% of 2022. The passengers with a stopover in Tarragona were Spanish (31%), Italian (26%), French (9%), American (8%), German (5%), English (4%) and other nationalities (17%).

81% of cruise customers choose to visit the territory under their own steam, 7% take organised tours of the Costa Daurada, 4% take guided tours of the city of Tarragona and another 4% decide to visit Barcelona, just 100 km away. Among the most requested excursions are tours of the city of Tarragona (51%), PortAventura (20%), Poblet Monastery and its surroundings (20%), while the rest is divided into visits to beaches, wineries and the city of Reus.