The Port of Barcelona, one of the main maritime gateways to Europe, has celebrated an impressive milestone by breaking its own cruise passenger record with the arrival of 3.5 million passengers last year.
This landmark achievement, representing a 14% increase over pre-pandemic 2019 levels, marks a triumphant return of the cruise industry to the city following the challenges posed by the global health crisis.
The president of the Port, Lluís Salvadó, stressed that this record has been achieved not only due to an increase in the number of cruise ships arriving in the city, but also to a higher occupancy of the vessels. This underscores the popularity and attractiveness of Barcelona as a cruise destination for both operators and travelers.
Record cruise passenger arrivals with 3.5 million passengers
Looking ahead, the Port of Barcelona plans to maintain these record numbers in terms of cruise arrivals, with the possibility of reaching an impressive 4 million passengers in one year.
However, the port is also committed to prioritizing quality over quantity, focusing on increasing homeporting cruises in Barcelona and promoting smaller, more exclusive cruises.
Despite this success in cruise tourism, the Port of Barcelona has faced challenges due to the unfavorable macroeconomic context and geopolitical conflicts, which have affected cargo traffic.
A 10% decrease in cargo movement has been recorded, with a total of 64 million tons in 2023. This decline has been attributed to lower European demand and geopolitical tensions, including the war in Gaza.
However, an encouraging trend has been the growth in vehicle traffic, with an increase of 34% compared to the previous year. Barcelona has become the main entry point for Chinese electric vehicles in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, highlighting its role as a key logistics hub in the region.
Record revenues
On a financial level, the Port of Barcelona achieved record revenues of €189 million in 2023, representing an increase of 4.4% compared to the previous year.
However, operating income has decreased due to higher infrastructure maintenance expenses and agreements with the City Council to move cruise terminals away from the city. Despite these challenges, the port has maintained a solid financial position, with reduced debt and a healthy cash balance.
Looking ahead, the Port’s planned investments, which include the construction of new terminals and rail infrastructure improvements, are expected to further boost the Port’s growth and competitiveness in the coming years.
