Ports & destinations

Catania Cruise Port expands capacity with third berth to accommodate megaships

Details: 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.

Port of Barcelona to reduce the number of cruise terminals

Details: 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.

Port of Toulon celebrates milestone installation in France with ABB shore power technology

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 06 June 2025 06 June 2025

The commissioning of France’s largest-ever shore power solution for ships at the Port of Toulon has been completed. Operational since February 13, the installation is currently in its final acceptance period. The consortium responsible for delivering the installation was led by ABB, comprising also construction company Eiffage Construction and electrical installation company Fauché responsible for building and civil engineering services.

The facility now offers connections at 11kV and 6.6 KV voltage levels and frequencies of 50Hz or 60Hz, supporting both cruise and ferry formats. This allows supporting port calls by three ferries simultaneously, or one cruise ship. In addition, the port is equipped with the necessary technology to connect a 1MW hydrogen fuel cell system Today, it is the only operational solution in France capable of simultaneously supplying multiple vessels – ferries and cruise ships alike – from a single conversion station, thanks to a digitalized smart grid network architecture.

“The delivery of this project is an important milestone for Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis as a leading Mediterranean port to provide shore power across all of its docks,” said Jean-Pierre Giran, President of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis. “Located in the heart of the city, the port plays a central role in the business community and in the lives of our residents. With the support of our co-funders and partners – the European Union, the French State, the Sud PACA Region, the Departmental Council, and ADEME – we are eliminating over 80 percent of polluting emissions, saving 9,000 hours of diesel operation per year, and significantly reducing noise and vibrations. The reduction in sulfur emissions alone will be equivalent to those produced by 50,000 cars annually.

The shore connection system, developed and led by the Métropole and implemented by ABB, allows ships to turn off their diesel generators in port, supporting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) targets for shipping to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 20501. As of the beginning of May, the Mediterranean has become the fifth IMO Emission Control Area for sulphur oxides and particulate matter, which means that ships operating in the area will be required to use marine fuel with reduced sulphur content.

The Port of Toulon handles around 1,500 calls from ferries, cruise vessels, and cargo vessels annually. With shore power available, the city will be able to significantly reduce carbon, SOx and NOx emissions and noise at berth. In addition, ship owners will save on fuel costs. The Toulon project is a key part of regional “Zero-smoke stopovers” plans for Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Région Sud PACA) which also include shore power for Marseille and Nice2 .

“Technically innovative, this project introduces a new smart grid network architecture using digital technology to manage energy flows from multiple interconnected sources,” said Frédéric Mestivier, designer and Technical Director of the electrification project for the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée. “The infrastructure maximizes overall energy efficiency while minimizing the carbon footprint.”

The innovative system designed by Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis integrates ABB equipment that can store energy ashore, helping to smooth out peak energy demand from vessels and balancing loads dynamically. This allows the system to work seamlessly with emerging renewable energy sources, with solar power and batteries already integrated, and helps to optimize the cost of energy delivered from the 20kV Enedis grid line.

“It has been an honor to contribute to Port of Toulon’s success in leading this innovative installation,” said Marcus Martelin, Service Line Manager for Decarbonization Services, ABB Marine & Ports. “This can be regarded as a milestone and a model example for all ports in the Mediterranean and globally. ABB’s shore power solution has established itself as one of the key technologies that continue to drive decarbonization in shipping.”

ABB has delivered a comprehensive scope of equipment, including battery energy storage and solar panel integration, as well as full engineering project management. As a leader in electric shipping and smart port technology, ABB offers a wide range of shore power solutions, including infrastructure onshore and onboard vessels. ABB’s shore connection technology has already been integrated by over 50 ports worldwide to drive maritime decarbonization.

Carrix joins San Pedro's West Harbor as equity partner

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 June 2025 08 June 2025

In a major step forward for West Harbor and the San Pedro, CA waterfront, Carrix has formed a partnership with San Pedro-based developer Jerico Development and acquired a significant equity position in the 42-acre West Harbor destination currently under construction at the Port of Los Angeles.

Carrix, one of the world’s largest independent marine and intermodal terminal operators, is the parent company of SSA Marine, a leading operator of container, conventional cargo, and cruise terminals across the Americas and in Vietnam. SSA Marine is dedicated to operational efficiency, innovation, and sustainable, community-centered development, and currently operates multiple terminals in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, underscoring its deep roots and expertise in the region.

West Harbor, located along the main channel of the Port, will offer a dynamic mix of restaurants, retail and entertainment, including a mile-long promenade, an outdoor waterfront amphitheater, iconic waterside recreational attractions, and commercial vessel docks and piers. Strongly supported by the City, Port of Los Angeles and the local community, this long-anticipated project will help redefine the area’s retail and entertainment identity.

With Carrix joining as an equity partner, West Harbor gains not only a seasoned global investor, but a deeply engaged stakeholder with more than 75 years of experience in diverse marine terminal operations. This investment reflects Carrix’s confidence in West Harbor, the Port of Los Angeles, and San Pedro as an important Southern California destination. This equity partnership demonstrates a shared, long-term commitment to the project’s success and to advancing economic development and community benefits throughout the harbor area. From local hiring and union labor to support for small businesses and cultural programming, Carrix and West Harbor aim to ensure the benefits of revitalization are broadly felt across the community.

“We see this as a pivotal development for San Pedro and the region,” said Stefano Borzone, President of Carrix’s cruise division. “It aligns with our approach to long-term, community-focused investment and reflects our belief in the potential of the LA Waterfront. West Harbor offers a unique opportunity for residents and cruise visitors alike to enjoy all that the waterfront has to offer while celebrating the deep cultural and historical significance of the region.”

West Harbor welcomes the partnership, noting the alignment of values and the opportunity to build momentum.

“Attracting a partner of Carrix’s caliber and experience validates the tremendous value we have created through our public-private partnership with the Port and City of Los Angeles, and the San Pedro community,” said Eric Johnson, West Harbor’s Senior Project Executive. “Carrix’s capital investment strengthens our ability to deliver and enhance the quality of West Harbor’s built environment and guest experience – anchored by a unique, authentic, and fun collection of attractions – helping to ensure the long-term success of West Harbor as a community-centered waterfront.”

Jerico will retain a controlling interest in the project, ensuring continuity of the West Harbor vision and maintaining its deep commitment to the local community throughout the completion and operation of the project.

Together, Carrix and the West Harbor team are ushering in a new era for the San Pedro waterfront – one rooted in sustainability, community, and global appeal.

Copenhagen inaugurates cruise shore power facility

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 05 June 2025 05 June 2025

On Monday, June 2nd, H.M. King Frederik X of Denmark officially inaugurated Copenhagen’s shore power facility for cruise vessels at an event at CMP's cruise terminals at Oceankaj. Addresses were made by EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Transport Thomas Danielsen, and Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Lars Weiss. At the quay, H.M. King Frederik X of Denmark declared the shore power facility open and called the ship's bridge with the words "Turn the power on".

The first ship connected to the facility was AIDAnova of AIDA Cruises, represented by President Felix Eichhorn.

The facility, developed by Udviklingsselskabet By & Havn, is Europe’s largest of its kind and complements CMP's shore power facility inaugurated in 2021 at Søndre Frihavn for the Copenhagen-Oslo line.

“The inauguration of the cruise shore power facility in Copenhagen is a proud moment for Copenhagen Malmö Port and a key milestone in the green transition of the sector. We are excited to begin operating this facility and to provide shipping lines like AIDA Cruises with clean energy while at berth. This initiative is fully aligned with our broader sustainability strategy, which includes fossil-free terminal operations and our ambition to reach net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2025. Together with our partners, we are committed to shaping a more sustainable future for the maritime industry,” said Barbara Scheel Agersnap, CEO of Copenhagen Malmö Port.