Ports & destinations

San Juan Cruise Port welcomes return of Oasis-class ship following $10 million Pier 3 upgrade

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 19 August 2025 19 August 2025

San Juan Cruise Port (SJCP) recently celebrated a landmark moment with the return of Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, marking the first Oasis-class ship to dock in the capital since completion of a $10 million upgrade to Pier 3.

The investment – funded and led by SJCP – restores San Juan’s ability to host the world’s largest cruise vessels and positions the port to welcome Icon-class ships for the first time. These enhancements are expected to accelerate Puerto Rico’s cruise industry growth, delivering substantial economic benefits to Old San Juan and strengthening the island’s tourism sector.

A strategic global investment

As part of the Global Ports Holding network – the world’s largest cruise port operator – SJCP leveraged unmatched technical expertise and operational experience to deliver this critical infrastructure project. The upgrades are a core component of its long-term commitment to modernize San Juan’s cruise facilities, increase passenger volumes, and future-proof the port for decades to come.

The project included:
– Structural assessments to confirm load-bearing capacity for mega ships
– Dredging operations to achieve the required depth and draft
– Upgraded bollards for increased mooring demands
– Repaired and replaced mooring dolphins to enhance docking stability
– A newly constructed platform specifically engineered for berthing Icon-class vessels

All works were completed in close coordination with federal and local authorities, ensuring full compliance with
regulatory and safety standards.

Economic impact in motion

The visit from the Wonder of the Seas brought more than 6,500 passengers and crew, generating an estimated $700,000 in local economic activity in a single day. From August to December 2025, SJCP expects approximately 15 calls from mega cruise ships, creating valuable opportunities for local merchants, tour operators, restaurants, and transportation providers.

“The arrival of Wonder of the Seas is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to strengthening San Juan’s position as a premier cruise destination,” said Clarivette Díaz, General Manager of SJCP. “With the Pier 3 upgrades – part of a $52 million infrastructure program underway this year – we’ve enhanced capacity, efficiency, and readiness to welcome the next generation of cruise ships, bringing even greater benefits to OldSan Juan and the wider Puerto Rican tourism industry.”

Catania Cruise Port expands capacity with third berth to accommodate megaships

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 25 July 2025 25 July 2025

Catania Cruise Port, operated by Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator, has marked a major milestone in its development with the completion of Pier 25’s renovation, significantly enhancing its capacity and positioning within the Mediterranean cruise sector. Thanks to the breakwater restoration project, the port now features three operational cruise docks, including a newly upgraded 405-meter quay with a water depth of 9 meters, capable of handling the world’s largest cruise vessels.

The new quay is supported by a 7,000-square-meter parking area designated for tour buses and logistics, making Catania Cruise Port increasingly competitive and efficient as it prepares for anticipated growth in passenger traffic under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Sicilian Sea Port System Authority, led by President Francesco Di Sarcina.

“This was a fundamental intervention to bring the dock in line with today’s operational standards,” said Engineer Di Sarcina. “We’ve restored the quay edge, recertified the bollards, upgraded the fenders, and – most critically – leveled the seabed, which had become uneven due to sediment shifts. Maintaining this depth through routine monitoring will be essential as cruise activity increases.”

This new cruise berth joins the central pier – currently the port’s longest and the future site of a new terminal – and the quay adjacent to the breakwater, where further work is set for completion by early 2026.

“This pier offers exceptional technical specifications,” noted Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of GPH Italian Cruise Port. “The addition of a third operational berth represents a major leap in our ability to manage larger passenger volumes and welcome next-generation ships. It also allows for the simultaneous berthing of multiple vessels, supported by dedicated land-side logistics that streamline coordination with local transportation providers.”

Del Prete emphasized that the new infrastructure is already delivering operational results and will play a central role in achieving traffic targets set through 2027. “This project is a tangible example of successful collaboration between GPH and the Port System Authority and reflects our shared vision of transforming Catania Cruise Port into a leading Mediterranean destination.”

Strategically located on the eastern coast of Sicily at the foot of Mount Etna, Catania is an increasingly popular call on Mediterranean cruise itineraries, offering a blend of cultural heritage, volcanic landscapes, and vibrant city life. Its proximity to iconic destinations like Taormina, Syracuse, and the UNESCO-listed Mount Etna makes it a compelling stop for cruise lines seeking both scenic and historical richness. As cruise traffic grows in the Eastern Mediterranean, Catania Cruise Port is emerging as a key gateway to authentic Sicilian experiences.

With this expansion, Catania Cruise Port is well-positioned to serve as both a key gateway to Sicily and a growing hub for Eastern Mediterranean cruise itineraries.

Tarragona Cruise Port's cruise terminal is consolidated as an international benchmark in port architecture and sustainability

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 05 August 2025 05 August 2025

Inaugurated in 2024, the new Cruise Terminal at Tarragona Cruise Port, operated by Global Ports Holding and located on the Balears Wharf, has become an international benchmark in architectural design, sustainable construction, and industrialized innovation. This new facility has not only improved the experience for cruise passengers and operators but has also attracted international attention for its quality, efficiency, and sensitivity to the local environment.
International recognition and awards

Since its inauguration, this building, designed by Hombre de Piedra Arquitectos, has been recognized by some of the most prestigious architectural and industrial awards in the world:
– Advanced Architecture Awards 2025 – Finalist: Recognition for architectural innovation and transformation, awarded during REBUILD 2025 at IFEMA Madrid.
– Offsite Awards (United Kingdom) – Finalist: International Project of the Year Awards dedicated to excellence in industrialized architecture.
– Design Educates Awards – Honorable Mention in Architecture The jury, chaired by Pritzker Prize winner Toyo Ito, highlighted its educational and emotional value.
– Seatrade Cruise Awards 2025 – Finalist: International Project of the Year International recognition within the cruise industry.

Mediterranean-inspired architecture with environmental efficiency

Designed by architect Juan Manuel Rojas and his team at Hombre de Piedra Arquitectos, under the technical direction of David Corbella from Global Ports Holding, the terminal features an architectural design inspired by the Roman mosaics of ancient Tarraco and modernist trencadís, with a roof structure that creates a visually distinctive identity recognizable from the sea.

The off-site modular industrialized architecture developed for this terminal uses a non-orthogonal geometry to facilitate passenger flow and allow the building to adapt easily to future needs. The open angles of this geometry enhance passenger circulation. Its modularity allows coherent growth over time with easy expansion or dismantling. This geometric design also symbolizes the triumph of the organic underwater world over the hard, concrete structures of traditional ports.

This construction method has made it possible to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% and waste by 55% during the construction phase. It is a fully demountable, recyclable, and scalable infrastructure, with a clear commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

Functionality, capacity, and services

Covering an area of 2,200 m2, the terminal can accommodate up to four cruise ships simultaneously thanks to a 759-meter-long berth. The space is designed to optimize passenger flow and ensure a comfortable and efficient operation.
In the coming years, the Port of Tarragona plans to implement an Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system, allowing ships to connect to the electrical grid while docked, eliminating emissions from auxiliary engine use.

Future outlook and regional impact

With over 136,000 passengers received in 2024, Tarragona Cruise Port has established itself as a key player in the sector and faces the coming seasons with excellent growth prospects. The new infrastructure supports a model of sustainable and regionally balanced tourism development that benefits not only the city of Tarragona but also other destinations of interest in the surrounding area, generating a positive impact across the territory.

Port of Barcelona to reduce the number of cruise terminals

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 21 July 2025 21 July 2025

The number of cruise terminals on Adossat wharf is to be cut from seven to five, with the oldest three being demolished and a new one built. A series of measures will also be rolled out to improve and mobility and render it more sustainable. The Port of Barcelona will renovate and upgrade the cruise traffic facilities, optimising spaces and adapting them to the most advanced environmental requirements.

Barcelona City Council and the Port of Barcelona last week signed a new agreement to reorganise cruise activity and render it more sustainable. The agreement will reduce the number of cruise terminals at the Port of Barcelona and will roll out a series of projects to improve passenger mobility and make it more sustainable, moving forward in the responsible management of cruises and improving the coexistence between port activity and the city.

The central plank of the new agreement, signed by both administrations, involves reducing the number of cruise terminals from seven to five by demolishing current terminals A, B and C, and building a new terminal on the site of terminal C. The resulting terminal will be public, in other words it will be open to general use with capacity to serve 7,000 passengers at any given time.

In addition to this reorganisation and progressive reduction in the number of terminals, there will be a comprehensive overhaul of a 610-metre-long section of wharf, corresponding to current terminals A and B, to which end the Port of Barcelona will invest €50 million. These actions will make the Port's cruise facilities some of the most modern and sustainable globally, offering the essential quality of service to accommodate home port operations (where the trip begins and ends), which provide the most added value to the city and have better airport connectivity.

This transformation will configure the Adossat wharf with five cruise terminals: four are privately owned (current terminals D, E, G and H) and one will be public (the new terminal C), all of which meet the most demanding quality and sustainability standards. The new terminal will prioritise home port cruises and small vessels. The agreement signed with the City Council accelerates the Port's timetable to renovate the oldest terminals – current Terminals A, B and C – which were nearing the end of their useful life, and to build new facilities that are better suited to the current requirements of the cruise industry. Furthermore, the wharf overhaul will facilitate the installation of the onshore power supply (OPS) systems for connecting ships to the electrical grid, supplying them with green energy so that they can turn off their engines and avoid emissions from their operations.

“For the first time in history, a limit is being placed on the growth of cruises in the city,” emphasized the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, who also expressed gratitude to the Port for “its effort in understanding and empathy” in recognizing that the growth of this activity cannot be infinite and needed to be reduced. The mayor also recalled that from 2018 to 2024, the number of cruise passengers increased by 20%, since the last protocol signed between the Port and the City Council did not set capacity limits. “The current management of tourism involves setting limits and managing better,” Collboni concluded.