MSC Cruises obtained final approval from the Board of Directors of Port Barcelona Spain to build and operate an exclusive (for MSC ships only) cruise terminal.
MSC's 31-year concession will see the building of an innovative cruise terminal sized 11670 m2. The project is estimated to cost a EUR 33 million (~USD 40,1M) investment by the company.
With construction work scheduled to start shortly, the terminal is due to enter service in 2024.
The project will allow MSC to consolidate its presence in Barcelona - one of the brand’s major ports in the Western Mediterranean, and to expand its homeporting operations from the city. This is expected to result in added direct/indirect economic benefit for the region as more international passengers will transit through Barcelona, spending additional days in the city before or after their voyage.
The new cruise terminal, which is due to feature shore power facilities and get ready for LNG bunkering operations, will allow MSC to deploy more environmentally-friendly liners in Barcelona, such as MSC World Europa (fleet's first LNG-powered ship), which is currently under construction and scheduled to enter service in 2022.
For the project, MSC is partnering with the renowned Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and his studio. They hope to build a state-of-the-art facility to become another landmark for Spain's largest port city.