The port of Melilla is experiencing a consolidation phase within the map of cruise destinations in the western Mediterranean. Although its volume is still modest compared to the major Spanish ports, recent developments, infrastructure investments, and the city's strategic location explain why cruise lines are beginning to include it in their itineraries and why those in charge are already speaking of a period of sustained growth.
In recent years, activity has grown steadily. In 2023, the port recorded 9 ship calls and just over 4,200 passengers, while in 2024 this figure rose to 12 calls and around 9,000 cruise passengers, practically doubling the previous year's number.
The trend was consolidated in 2025, with 14 cruises and more than 12,000 passengers accumulated during the season.
This increase is part of a broader process: traffic had been around 4,000 passengers in 2023 and forecasts pointed to 9,000 in 2024, indicating sustained growth and a clear strategy of attracting stopovers.
Future projections reinforce this scenario. The port aims to exceed 80,000 cruise passengers annually by 2028 and reach figures close to 150,000 by 2030, with potential capacity for more than 130 port calls per year if the planned projects materialize.
The forecasts for 2026 are 16 port calls and 16,100 cruise passengers, fulfilling relevant milestones as the port will host two cruise ships simultaneously for the first time, the Azamara Quest and the Norwegian Dawn, and larger ships such as the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Escape, which demonstrates the operational and logistical capacity leap of the destination, not forgetting the luxury cruises.
In 2027, 23 cruise ship calls and 28,700 passengers are expected, many of whom will be able to experience the new cruise terminal being built by ITM Group. The retail spaces renovated by ITM Group are expected to open by the end of 2026.
Melilla's positioning as a cruise destination is due to several factors. Its location between Europe and North Africa allows it to offer distinctive itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, combining cultural, historical, and gastronomic stops. The city boasts a unique blend of Mediterranean, Andalusian, and North African influences, making it a port of call with its own identity on routes seeking less crowded experiences.
The origin of this growth strategy is linked to the port's economic diversification and the need to boost maritime tourism. The Port Authority has intensified its presence at international trade fairs and its direct contact with shipping companies to attract port calls and position the destination.
Among the most significant projects is the concession to build and operate a new, modern cruise terminal, a public-private partnership designed to enhance the passenger experience and increase capacity. This infrastructure is part of the plan to position the city as a competitive destination, ready for the growth of maritime tourism.
The development of port facilities and strategic planning seek to respond to the evolution of the market, characterized by the global increase in cruise tourism and the search for new destinations in the Mediterranean.
Shipping companies particularly value several aspects of the port, such as the authenticity of the destination, being a European enclave in Africa, its human dimension, the possibility of offering unique cultural excursions, and the operational ease of port calls on routes between 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 reinforce this opportunity for ports like Melilla.
The growth of cruise traffic in Melilla is not the result of isolated actions, but rather a long-term strategy. The Port Authority and local administrations continue to actively promote the destination, participating in professional forums and industry initiatives to strengthen its international standing. In this context, the port maintains ties with the sector's association ecosystem and has expressed its desire to join Mediterranean professional networks such as MedCruise, the Mediterranean Cruise Ports Association, which brings together more than 150 ports and organizations linked to cruise tourism and serves as a platform for promotion, cooperation, and development of the regional market.
Joining these types of structures is part of the port's roadmap to gain visibility, strengthen relationships with shipping companies and destinations, and accelerate its integration into the sector's international circuits, aligning its growth with the professional and strategic dynamics of cruise tourism in the Mediterranean.
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