MSC Cruises has obtained final approval to build and operate a cruise terminal in Barcelona, boosting its operation from the Spanish cruise hub in 2024.
The £28m investment will see the construction of an innovative 11,670 square-metre terminal that MSC will operate and manage exclusively for 31 years.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, said: “The new terminal is a further proof of MSC Group’s longstanding commitment to the city of Barcelona and the entire Catalonia region.
“Perhaps most importantly, the new terminal will allow us to operate expanded homeport operations, resulting in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and the overall region.”
This will result in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and region as more international guests will transit through Barcelona, likely spending additional days in the city either before or after their cruise.
MSC Cruises Barcelona terminal
The new terminal, which will feature shore power facilities and be ready for LNG bunkering operations, will also allow MSC Cruises to deploy more next-generation, environmentally friendly ships in Barcelona. This includes MSC World Europa, the brand’s first LNG-powered cruise ship, currently under construction and due to enter service in 2022.