The Port of Barcelona has started installing its first Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems at two cruise terminals as part of a wider push to make cruise operations more sustainable and efficient.

The first OPS installations are said to be under way at the MSC and Royal Caribbean terminals. These systems will allow ships to connect to the electricity grid while alongside, enabling auxiliary engines to be switched off and significantly reducing emissions and noise in and around the port.

The port said it expects nine new cruise ships to call this year, while 57% of cruise calls will be made by vessels less than 10 years old. It added that 22% of calls will be by LNG-fuelled ships, that biofuel supply is already underway, and that preparations for the arrival of the first methanol-fuelled cruise ship are continuing.

At the same time, the Port of Barcelona is moving ahead with the reorganisation and modernisation of its cruise infrastructure. Terminal C at the Adossat pier is set to stop operating at the end of October, with closure and demolition to begin by year-end. The Barcelona Sud terminal at the World Trade Center is also scheduled to cease operations by the end of the year.

The port authority noted that these changes form part of the reorganisation agreed with Barcelona City Council, which is intended to reduce the number of terminals, improve operational efficiency, and support a cruise model with a more positive impact on the city, particularly by placing greater emphasis on homeport operations.

The port is also planning complementary measures to improve mobility associated with cruise traffic and to rehabilitate sections of the Adossat pier, where OPS systems will be installed, so that, in the medium term, all cruise vessels can operate with shore power connections.

According to the port, this work includes a mobility assessment covering cruise-related traffic and the consideration of infrastructure improvements, such as the duplication of the Porta d’Europa bridge and an urban corridor linking Plaza de las Drassanes with the Marina del Prat Vermell and Zona Franca areas.

The Port of Barcelona presented these developments during Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami this week. Its delegation included Carla Salvadó, deputy general director of commercial and marketing, José María Rovira, director of maritime operations, Mar Pérez, head of cruises, and Gemma Gràcia, cruise manager.