Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 60 – March 2022
What efforts has the Port Authority of Barcelona made during the pandemic to maintain communication with cruise lines?
It goes without saying that it has been a truly difficult period for the entire cruise community. Accustomed to very fluid contact with the companies, we were forced, practically overnight, to maintain contact by telephone or virtual meetings. All the issues were urgent and extremely complex, especially the repatriation of crew members, the return of passengers from cruise ships, and the possibility of docking cruise ships in a port to keep them there indefinitely. The Port Authority of Barcelona's greatest effort was focused on maintaining open communication with the relevant authorities to try to assist the companies with such sensitive matters.
Once that initial phase was over, communication shifted towards obtaining the necessary permits to restart cruise traffic, and we tried to keep our clients informed of every important step towards achieving this goal.
As a unifying element of the Barcelona port community, what activities have you undertaken during the pandemic to maintain its integrity? Have you taken any initiatives to support the port community, such as reducing or waiving fees, etc.?
Absolutely. Cruise traffic was the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, and from the outset, the Port Authority of Barcelona (APB) considered contributing everything possible to support the industry and concession holders. Various actions were taken in this regard, and we continue to explore all legal avenues to aid the recovery of such a vital sector for the city of Barcelona. One example is the modification of the reduction coefficients for vessel and passenger fees during 2021 and 2022. It's important to remember that a full recovery has not yet been achieved.
The Port of Barcelona offers a wide range of services to cruise lines. Has this remained unchanged after the pandemic?
Absolutely. If the pandemic has highlighted anything, it's the strong work ethic of everyone in Barcelona's cruise community. Their effort and enthusiasm for restarting operations have been key to maintaining services, even during the most challenging times.
We see a full recovery of cruises as very likely by 2023.
Has the Port Authority of Barcelona participated in any initiatives by public or private organizations, such as State Ports or MedCruise, aimed at organizing the new normal for cruises?
Contact with both State Ports and MedCruise has been constant throughout this period. Another positive aspect I would highlight from the crisis is how the ports have collaborated to share ideas and best practices that allowed for the resumption of activity and operational excellence.
What is the Barcelona Port Authority's assessment of the first cruise ship calls in 2021?
Very positive. The excitement we have mentioned countless times upon seeing the MSC Grandiosa arrive on June 26, 2021, after months without a single cruise ship docked, is very real. We have experienced each call at the Port of Barcelona with great enthusiasm. It has been a particularly difficult season due to the implementation of new health measures and the various challenging periods when the virus has spread virulently again, but, with hindsight, the cruise lines and all stakeholders in the cruise community deserve congratulations for how well the operations and itineraries have run.
When will Barcelona recover its 2019 levels of cruise ship activity in terms of port calls and passengers?
It's very difficult to make an accurate prediction, but we're on the right track and see a full recovery by 2023 as very likely. The current season makes us optimistic, as it points to a certain normalization of cruise traffic.
Has Barcelona renewed the confidence of shipping lines as a home port?
The majority of our clients have once again chosen Barcelona as their home port. Let's not forget that, in addition to the excellent facilities offered by the public terminals, the port is home to two terminals belonging to the Carnival group, and we expect the new MSC terminal to become a reality very soon.
We continue to explore all the concepts that the law allows us in order to help the recovery of a sector as important as cruises for the city of Barcelona.
What sustainability initiatives does Barcelona have planned regarding cruise traffic?
There are numerous ones, but the most ambitious is a project to electrify the docks, which will serve not only cruise ships but all types of vessels. Also noteworthy are the incentives for the most environmentally efficient ships and the program promoting the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Is Barcelona still attracting the world's most environmentally friendly ships, powered by LNG?
Yes. In 2019, 10% of cruise ship calls were from LNG-powered vessels. This season we will receive numerous calls of this type, and if we look at the Order Book, 17 LNG-powered cruise ships will be built between 2023 and 2026. This demonstrates that it is a viable transition system for the industry and ports.
“We continue to explore all the concepts that the law allows us in order to help the recovery of a sector as important as cruises for the city of Barcelona.”.
