The Port of Melilla is currently undergoing a phase of consolidation within the map of cruise destinations in the Western Mediterranean. Although its volume remains modest compared to Spain’s major ports, recent growth, infrastructure investments and the city’s strategic positioning help explain why cruise lines are beginning to include it in their itineraries and why port officials are already speaking of a period of sustained growth.
In recent years, activity has increased progressively. In 2023, the port recorded nine calls and just over 4,200 passengers, while in 2024 the figure rose to 12 calls and around 9,000 cruise passengers, practically doubling the previous year’s total.
The trend continued in 2025, with 14 cruise calls and more than 12,000 passengers accumulated over the season.
This increase forms part of a broader process: traffic stood at around 4,000 passengers in 2023 and forecasts pointed to 9,000 in 2024, signaling steady growth and a clear strategy to attract cruise calls.
Future projections reinforce this outlook. The port aims to exceed 80,000 cruise passengers annually by 2028 and approach 150,000 by 2030, with the potential capacity to handle more than 130 calls per year if planned projects are completed.
Forecasts for 2026 indicate 16 calls and 16,100 passengers, marking significant milestones as the port will host two cruise ships simultaneously for the first time — Azamara Quest and Norwegian Dawn — as well as larger vessels such as the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Escape. This reflects a step forward in operational capability and logistical capacity, alongside continued calls from luxury cruise ships.
In 2027, 23 calls and 28,700 passengers are expected, many of whom may inaugurate the new cruise terminal to be built by ITM Group. By late 2026, newly refurbished commercial premises developed by ITM Group are also expected to begin operations.
Melilla’s positioning as a cruise destination is based on several factors. Its location between Europe and North Africa allows it to offer differentiated itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, combining cultural, historical and gastronomic experiences. The city presents a unique blend of Mediterranean, Andalusian and North African influences, making it a port of call with a distinct identity on routes seeking less crowded destinations.
The origins of this growth strategy are linked to the port’s economic diversification and the need to strengthen maritime tourism. The Port Authority has intensified its presence at international trade fairs and strengthened direct engagement with cruise lines to attract calls and position the destination.
Among the most significant projects is the concession to build and operate a new, modern cruise terminal through a public-private partnership, aimed at enhancing the passenger experience and increasing reception capacity. This infrastructure is part of a broader plan to position the city as a competitive destination prepared for the growth of maritime tourism.
Port facility development and strategic planning are designed to respond to evolving market dynamics, characterized by the global expansion of cruise tourism and the search for new Mediterranean destinations.
Cruise lines particularly value several aspects of the port: the authenticity of the destination as a European enclave in Africa, its human scale, the opportunity to offer differentiated cultural excursions and the operational convenience for calls on routes linking the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands, North Africa and the central Mediterranean. The growth of cruise tourism in Spain and the interest in diversifying itineraries further reinforce this opportunity for ports such as Melilla.
The development of cruise traffic in Melilla is not the result of isolated actions but of a sustained long-term strategy. The Port Authority and local administrations continue to work actively on promoting the destination, participating in professional forums and industry initiatives to strengthen its international positioning. In this context, the port maintains ties with the sector’s associative ecosystem and has expressed its intention to join Mediterranean professional networks such as MedCruise, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports, which brings together more than 150 ports and cruise tourism-related organizations and acts as a platform for promotion, cooperation and regional market development.
Joining such structures forms part of the port’s roadmap to gain visibility, strengthen relationships with cruise lines and destinations, and accelerate its integration into international industry circuits, aligning its growth with the professional and strategic dynamics of Mediterranean cruise tourism.
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