Barcelona approves a new €104.5 million cruise Terminal C and extends its operator's deal to 2050

Barcelona is getting a new cruise terminal, and the company that runs most of the city's cruise piers will keep its hold on them for decades longer. The Port of Barcelona's board approved a plan to tear down the current Terminal C at Adossat Wharf and build a new one in its place, the port said in a statement on Oct. 30. Operator Global Ports Holding announced the deal on Nov. 3, as reported by Cruise Industry News.

The whole project will cost €104.5 million, about $116.8 million. More than €50 million of that goes to the terminal building itself.

What the new Terminal C will look like

The new terminal will cover 11,253 square meters, a little under 121,000 square feet. It will sit on the same site as the old Terminal C. The port says it will be built to the highest environmental standards.

Two features stand out. The terminal will generate some of its own power from solar panels. The terminal will also have shore power, known in the industry as onshore power supply. Shore power lets a docked ship plug into the local grid and turn off its engines, which cuts exhaust in the port.

The plan also covers the area around the building. The roundabout at the entrance to Adossat Wharf will move. New roads, transport areas and a new passenger walkway for boarding will be built. The port notes that the terminal will be public, so it will be open for general use by different lines.

Fewer terminals, by design

The project is part of a bigger plan to shrink cruise activity at the wharf. In July 2025, the port and Barcelona City Council agreed to cut the number of cruise terminals from seven to five and make cruising in the city more sustainable.

Here is how the change unfolds, according to the port.

1. July 2025Port and city council agree to go from seven terminals to five
2. Oct. 30, 2026Port board approves the new Terminal C plan
3. Nov. 1, 2026Operations end at the old Terminal C, which will be demolished
4. New Terminal C opensTerminals A and B are then torn down
5. Late 2029Work expected to start on rebuilding 660 meters of the wharf

Source: Port of Barcelona

The stretch of wharf where Terminals A and B stand is more than 70 years old and needs a full overhaul, the port said. That rebuild is budgeted at €42 million and should take 24 months. The port has not given an opening date for the new Terminal C.

A longer concession for the operator

Creuers del Port de Barcelona, part of Global Ports Holding, runs Terminals A and B. Its concession was due to end in 2030, with an option to 2033. Under the revised deal, the concession for the new Terminal C will run to 2050, with an option to extend it to 2053.

"This approval represents a significant milestone for Barcelona Cruise Port and reflects the strong partnership and mutual trust we have built with the Port of Barcelona," said Francesc Grau, regional director for the West Med at Global Ports Holding and general manager of Barcelona Cruise Port, as quoted by Cruise Industry News.

"The new Terminal C will allow us to deliver a modern, efficient and sustainable facility that enhances the cruise experience while supporting Barcelona's long-term development as a leading cruise destination," he added, according to Cruise & Ferry.

What it means if you sail from Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Mediterranean, and many lines start and end voyages there. In the short term, the loss of the old Terminal C means one fewer building at Adossat Wharf. Your cruise line will tell you which terminal your ship uses, so check your boarding documents before you head to the port.

In the longer run, guests should find a newer building with lower emissions from docked ships. Ships that can use shore power will be able to plug in while they are in port.

What we don't know yet

The port has not said when the new Terminal C will open or how long construction will take. We also don't know which lines will use it most, or how the remaining terminals will share traffic while it is being built.

For ideas on what to do before or after your cruise, see our Barcelona port guide.