Barcelona’s Bold Move: Major Cruise Terminal Closures by 2028
Barcelona is set to revolutionize its cruise ship operations in a bid to tackle overtourism and mitigate environmental impact. The city’s ambitious plan includes the closure of two significant cruise terminals by 2028.
The World Trade Center’s Southern Terminal is slated for closure in 2026, with further restrictions to follow. Under the new regulations, the number of cruise ships allowed to dock in Barcelona will be limited to seven, a significant reduction from the previous capacities.
All cruise operations are to be relocated to the Moll d’Adossat pier, strategically positioned furthest from residential areas. This move comes in response to local protests, with Barcelona’s residents vocally advocating for a complete ban on cruise ships by 2025.
These restrictions echo similar initiatives across Europe, where cities are taking decisive action against the negative impacts of overtourism. For instance, Venice banned large cruise ships from its historic centers in 2021, and Palma de Mallorca now limits daily arrivals to three ships.
Starting in 2026, Barcelona will also mandate cruise ships to connect to the city’s renewable electricity network while docked. This eliminates the need for ships to run their polluting engines while in port.
This shift is indicative of a broader European trend towards sustainable tourism. Mediterranean ports are under increasing pressure to strike a balance between reaping economic benefits and ensuring environmental protection and local quality of life.
Source: Lonely Planet