The Port Authority of A Coruña has begun all the work of coordinating and preparing the necessary resources for the docking of tourist cruise ships in the city with all the health guarantees, following the approval by the central government of the return of international transatlantic liners to Spanish ports.
Today, Saturday, the Official State Gazette published the resolution from the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine authorizing the resumption of cruise ship traffic from June 7th, given the improved health situation. Therefore, the Port Authority of A Coruña has activated all the mechanisms in place to facilitate and encourage cruise ship calls at the port.
In this way, the coordination committee established in the government protocols will be formed. This body includes representatives from the agencies involved in the care of the ship and its passengers, such as the Port Health Authority, the Regional Ministry of Health, the Maritime Authority, Corunna Cruise Terminal, and shipping agents and operators, as well as the National Police, the Civil Guard, and the Tourism Consortium.
During the cruise ship passengers' transit through the port, the Port Authority will implement the necessary measures to facilitate social distancing and support any required health checks, as well as manage any incidents that may arise. These measures include passenger information systems, signage, capacity control, and the establishment of isolated areas for conducting checks or responding to any unforeseen situations.
The Port of A Coruña stopped receiving cruise ships in March 2020, when the state of emergency was declared. However, the Port Authority has continued working with industry operators and in coordination with State Ports, which, together with the Ministry of Health, has updated protocols and recommendations to ensure maximum safety, both on board the ships and in the cities where the cruise liners dock. These measures include strict controls and screenings of passengers and crew, social distancing measures, and the creation of closed groups of travelers, even on excursions, as well as treatment and isolation areas in case of a positive COVID-19 case, in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
Over the last decade, the port of A Coruña has tripled its cruise passenger traffic, going from 53,574 passengers in 2009 to an average of over 160,000 in recent years, with an economic impact of €15 million annually for the city. Throughout the pandemic, the Port Authority has maintained contact with shipping lines and industry operators, aiming to preserve and strengthen this leading position for the benefit of the hospitality and tourism sector, while also promoting itself as a safe destination.
