The Port of A Coruña is closing 2025 with figures that consolidate its leadership on the Cantabrian-Atlantic coast and position it as one of the most attractive destinations for major international cruise lines. With 175 port calls and more than 437,000 passengers by mid-November, the forecast is to exceed 450,000 cruise passengers before the end of the year, which would represent a new all-time record and the fourth consecutive record for the city.
This growth is no accident. The Port Authority has implemented a clear strategy: improving infrastructure, strengthening international promotion, and committing to sustainability. At the latest Seatrade Cruise Global event, the Port secured agreements to guarantee 180 cruise calls in 2026, consolidating its position as a leading port in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
PAHO: A milestone towards sustainability
One of the major milestones announced this year is the implementation of the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system, which will allow cruise ships to connect to the electrical grid and shut down their engines while in port. The investment, exceeding €10 million, will be undertaken by Regenera, the company awarded the contract for the construction and management of the OPS system. This will make A Coruña one of the first Spanish ports to offer this service, which will be operational in 2027 at the Trasatlánticos and Calvo Sotelo Sur docks.
This advancement not only reduces emissions and noise pollution, but also meets the demands of shipping companies and anticipates European decarbonization regulations. Nearly 60% of vessels are already equipped to use OPS, strengthening the port's competitiveness and its commitment to sustainability.
An economic engine for the city
Each cruise ship stop is much more than a maritime postcard: it's a direct economic boost. The annual impact of cruise tourism in A Coruña is estimated at over 40 million euros, considering passenger and crew spending and the repercussions for hotels, shops, transport, port companies, security, tourist services, and so on.
To understand this, one only needs to look at what happens on a day with multiple cruise ship calls. Last April, the simultaneous arrival of five cruise ships brought almost 15,000 visitors and generated one million euros in local spending in a single day. The city center streets were filled with diverse languages and accents, and businesses experienced a veritable boom.
The voice of local businesses
A Coruña is a cruise-friendly city, an idea easily confirmed by simply visiting a terrace or shop on Calle Real on cruise ship days. Most businesses check the Port Authority's official website, www.puertocoruna.com, daily to find out when extra passengers are expected. In souvenir shops, demand skyrockets. Cruisers want to take home something to remember their time in A Coruña.
A destination that will steal your heart
More than 80% of cruise passengers rate their experience in A Coruña as excellent, according to surveys conducted at the terminal. Most highlight the port's proximity to the historic center, the culinary offerings, and the opportunity to visit iconic landmarks such as the Tower of Hercules, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But cruise passengers don't just stick to the historic center or the Tower of Hercules. More and more are opting for excursions to the surrounding region, discovering gems like Betanzos, with its medieval quarter and traditional cuisine, or visiting the Estrella Galicia MEGA Museum, where Galician beer culture becomes a sensory experience. Even Deportivo La Coruña, with its history and Riazor stadium overlooking the sea, has become a draw for football fans disembarking in the city.
Looking to the future
With the OPS project underway, the expansion of the docks, and the urban integration planned in the Coruña Marítima project, the Port of A Coruña is preparing for continued sustainable growth. The combination of modern infrastructure, environmental commitment, and a welcoming city makes A Coruña an essential destination for Atlantic routes.
2025 has been a historic year. And everything points to the best being yet to come.
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