MEDIA

15 Apr 2026

Global Ports Holding Highlights West Mediterranean Growth at Seatrade Cruise Global

Sevilla and Ferrol projects unveiled as Las Palmas prepares to host Seatrade Cruise Med 2026

Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world’s largest cruise port operator, presented developments across its West Mediterranean portfolio at Seatrade Cruise Global, including updates on Sevilla Cruise Port, Ferrol Cruise Port and Las Palmas Cruise Port.

The press conference introduced the newly awarded projects in Sevilla and Ferrol, another step in GPH’s continued growth in Spain, while also highlighting Las Palmas Cruise Port as the upcoming host destination for Seatrade Cruise Med in September 2026.

Sevilla Cruise Port, located along the Guadalquivir River in the heart of the city, represents a unique inland cruise destination with strong potential across both cruise and leisure boating segments. The project will focus on enhancing infrastructure, elevating passenger services and strengthening the port’s integration with the urban environment.

Ferrol Cruise Port, positioned in Galicia, offers access to a destination known for its cultural heritage, coastal landscapes and authentic regional experiences. The port’s development will support increased cruise activity while preserving the character and identity of the destination.

Francesc Grau, GPH Regional Director West Med, commented:
“Sevilla and Ferrol represent two highly distinctive opportunities within our West Mediterranean portfolio. While very different in character, both destinations offer strong potential for growth through targeted investment, operational expertise and close collaboration with local stakeholders. Our aim is to position each port in a way that enhances its unique identity while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience for cruise lines and their guests.”

Las Palmas Cruise Port’s recently developed and inaugurated infrastructure sets a new benchmark for sustainable and passenger-focused terminal design. The port also serves as a key Atlantic hub and a gateway between Europe, Africa and the Americas. Looking ahead, Las Palmas will host of Seatrade Cruise Med at its newly developed terminal in September 2026 , bringing the global cruise industry to the Canary Islands and further reinforcing the destination’s strategic importance.

Susana Gutierrez, General Manager GPH Canary Islands commented:
“Las Palmas is uniquely positioned as both a strategic hub and a destination in its own right, supported by the strength of our wider Canary Islands network, including Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Hosting Seatrade Cruise Med in 2026 is a significant milestone—not only for the port, but for the Canary Islands as a whole. It reflects the strength of our infrastructure, our connectivity and our ability to bring together the global cruise community across multiple destinations that continue to grow in both scale and ambition.”

The director of the Ferrol-San Cibrao Port Authority, Jesús Casás, emphasized during his speech the importance of Global Ports' arrival in Ferrol. A city that has been "open to the sea" for centuries, this project completes the missing piece: "to reinforce the cruise traffic with a terminal whose capabilities reflect the potential of the city and the region for tourism. To achieve this, we sought out the best terminal operator in the world... and we found them. Global Ports will develop, with the full collaboration of the Port Authority and local and regional authorities, the attraction of cruise lines and their port calls, as well as a variety of onshore services for cruise passengers," highlighted Jesús Casás, who also emphasized the company's planned investment with the goal of quadrupling the number of passengers and port calls by 2030. Our Port of Ferrol, with the capacity to accommodate any cruise ship in the world, welcomes Global Ports Holding and all shipping companies!” concluded the director of the Ferrol-San Cibrao Port Authority.

“Seville is a highly attractive destination for cruise ships and megayachts, and its port is a unique infrastructure that, in addition to allowing visitors to enjoy the city with berthing right in the heart of Seville, offers the singular experience of sailing along the Guadalquivir estuary,” highlighted Rafael Carmona, President of the Port Authority of Seville.

Under the title “Port of Seville: A New Approach to Cruise Management,” the president emphasized that the port authority’s objectives include “attracting more port calls and, to this end, we are working with the best in the sector, Global Ports and Ocean Platform Marinas Sevilla, who will not only optimize operations but also provide personalized services to each vessel; modernize infrastructure for cruise ships and megayachts; and shape the future cruise terminal within the Seville Urban Port District.”

Beatriz Calzada, the President of Las Palmas Port Authority, announced at the world’s largest cruise trade fair that the Port of Las Palmas will host Seatrade Med 2026 on 16 and 17 September. Regarding this, she stated: 'We are very proud that the Las Palmas Cruise Port will be hosting Seatrade Med next September. This is the first time the event will be held in our home city, and we are fully committed to ensuring this edition reflects the current boom in the cruise sector at the ports of the Las Palmas province, where 2.1 million cruise passengers are expected in 2025”.

Ms Calzada also expressed her gratitude to Global Ports Holding and its Canary Islands operator, Global Ports Holding, for their commitment to the ports of Las Palmas, stating: 'Their investment in transforming the three cruise terminals in Las Palmas, Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario has been crucial in placing our entire province at the forefront of the cruise sector and meeting the most demanding requirements of the cruise lines. We greatly value our close relationship with them and are convinced that this joint venture will continue to bear fruit in the long term.”

Through its growing presence in Spain, GPH continues to strengthen its West Mediterranean offering, combining established hubs with emerging destinations to deliver a more diversified cruise network.

The addition of Sevilla and Ferrol, alongside the continued development of Las Palmas, reflects GPH’s long-term commitment to investing in infrastructure, enhancing destination appeal and supporting sustainable growth across the region.

As Seatrade Cruise Global convenes the industry’s key stakeholders, Global Ports Holding highlighted its ongoing focus on supporting cruise destinations through infrastructure investment, operational expertise and local collaboration.