RCG/Royal Caribbean Group has emerged as the solitary contender for the forthcoming Terminal G at the Port of Barcelona (Spain), standing unchallenged in the bidding arena.
The maritime behemoth RCG (world's second-largest cruise shipowner/after Carnival Corporation) has taken advantage of this opportunity to undertake the construction and management of the terminal, encompassing an expansive area of 54,000 square meters (581,251 ft2) with a quay stretching 450 meters (1,476 ft) in length, capable of hosting the world's most colossal cruise vessels, including the recently christened Icon of the Seas.
Initially, three firms - NCL/Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking OCEAN and Virgin Voyages - questioned the fairness of the bidding process, citing partiality towards RCG. However, as the process resumed, Royal Caribbean remained the sole participant, and barring any unforeseen hindrances, the company is poised to oversee both construction and operations. Looking forward, the inauguration of Terminal G is slated for 2026, aligning harmoniously with the company's expansive growth initiatives in the region.
One stipulation of the tender stipulated that the participating entity could not hold a controlling interest in a terminal. Until recently, Royal Caribbean held a 38% stake in Barcelona Port Investment, the entity overseeing the management of cruise terminals A, B, and C (at Adossat Dock), along with two terminals at the World Trade Center, through its subsidiary Creuers del Port de Barcelona. Although the majority ownership rested with Turkish enterprise Global Ports Holding - now sole proprietor of all shares - Royal Caribbean opted to divest its stake, ensuring compliance with the tender's conditions.