26 Port Authorities participate in Europe's leading cruise fair, from 6 to 8 September in Hamburg
Spanish ports exhibit record figures and 'green' plans at Seatrade Europe
- Cruise passenger traffic increased by 75% up to July compared to the same period last year, surpassing the record figure of 2019.
04-09-2023 (State Ports Public Body). With record numbers of cruise passengers and ambitious plans to advance in environmental sustainability, Spanish ports are presented at Seatrade Europe, the main European event for the sector, which will be held from 6 to 8 September in Hamburg.
26 of the 28 Port Authorities that make up the state-owned system participate in the 'Ports of Spain' stand coordinated by Puertos del Estado. A 230m2 stand in which under the slogan 'Blue Carpet. We welcome you as you deserve' the Spanish ports will show destinations and services to more than 250 exhibitors and representatives of the main shipping companies.
After the pandemic break, shipping companies are once again betting on Spanish ports as a preferred destination on their routes. Between January and July, more than six million cruise passengers passed through ports of general interest, representing a growth of 75% compared to the same period of the previous year, and the progress of the full recovery after the pandemic that is expected in 2023, even surpassing the record figures of 2019, when between January and July the figure was 5.6 million cruise passengers.
These numbers of cruise passengers are reflected in the economy. According to data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), this sector contributes 2,800 million euros to the national GDP and it is estimated that 50,031 jobs were created in Spain and 1,500 million euros in wages were generated.
Spanish ports offer much more than a gateway to first-class tourist destinations, they are embarked on the implementation of measures to promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency also in cruise traffic. Specifically, the electrification of docks so that fleets can disconnect engines in port. The planned investment in the Port Authorities in this chapter amounts to 800 million euros until 2030. In addition, work is underway on plans for the generation and supply of alternative fuels in ports, from LNG to green hydrogen.
During the days of the fair, the official presentation of Malaga as the venue for Seatrade Cruise Med 2024 will be held at the MedCruise stand, repeating in two consecutive editions, after the success of the 2022 event in the Andalusian city.
At the 'Ports of Spain' stand, in addition to meetings with companies, shipping companies and institutions, Suncruise will present the III International Congress of Nautical and Cruise Tourism in Andalusia, which will be held on October 19 and 20 in Cadiz.
