The Port of Malaga expects to close the current fiscal year with very positive results for cruise traffic. By the end of 2016, a total of 442,500 passengers will have arrived at the port facility aboard 253 cruise ships, representing increases of 5.7% and 8.6%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
According to data provided by the president of the Port Authority, Paulino Plata, October is the busiest month, reaching 67,717 cruise passengers. The day with the highest number of passengers also fell during this period: on October 26, a total of 12,000 cruise passengers arrived at the port aboard the ships Harmony of the Seas, MSC Splendida, Oosterdam, and Braemar.
- Featured scales
On April 27th, 7 cruise ships coincided.
The port area has also received 12 first calls during the current year, among which the Harmony of the Seas, Mein Schiff 4 and 5, and the Viking Sea stand out.
Cruise traffic forecast 2017
Over the next year, the Port of Malaga expects to see a significant increase in cruise traffic. It anticipates reaching 500,000 passengers and 296 port calls, representing increases of 13% and 17%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
The end of 2016, as well as the forecast for the next year, is characterized by three fundamental axes: the improvement of seasonality, the increase in home port calls and luxury ships that are committed to the port and the destination:
- Improvement of seasonality
In 2016, the development of a policy of bonuses of up to 40% for shipping companies, together with a joint commercial action carried out with the institutions related to the tourist activity of the port hinterland, have contributed to the improvement of seasonality, marked by the arrival of ships mainly in spring and autumn.
Thus, during the summer season (which includes the months of June, July, August and September) the Port of Malaga has increased cruise traffic by 66.6% , having received 80 calls compared to 48 the previous year
This trend will continue to rise in 2017, as an increase in scales is expected in the next summer period compared to the current year: specifically, there will be 90.
- Scale increases based
In 2016, the number of homebound passengers represented 21% of the total number of cruise passengers (92,200) compared to 8% in 2015 (32,492).
The commitment of Thomson Cruises, Pullmantur and other more exclusive shipping companies to position their ships in the Port of Malaga has led to 49 home port calls during the current year.
In 2017, the number of passengers based there will be 115,000, which will represent 23% of the total number of cruise passengers expected and, therefore, an increase compared to 2016.
- Luxury ships are choosing the Port of Malaga
While in 2016, exclusive ship companies made a total of 80 calls at the port, the forecast for next year is to reach 93 visits, continuing the upward trend.
