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2024 the most successful year to date for Porto Cruise Terminal2024 the most successful year to date for Porto Cruise Terminal

Portugal's Porto Cruise Terminal set a new record for the number of calls and passengers in 2024, but the seasonality of cruise activity continues to be a challenge.

Holly Payne, Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

January 24, 2025

2 Min Read
Porto-Cruise-Terminal
Porto Cruise Terminal received 152 cruise calls and 196,000 in 2024PHOTO: PORT OF LEIXOES

Compared to 2023, the Port of Leixões’ Porto Cruise Terminal witnessed a 32% increase in the number of cruise passengers in 2024 and a 31% uptick in calls. 

Visiting Porto & Northern Portugal last year were 196,000 passengers. 

There were 152 cruise calls recorded, including 15 inaugural calls, plus one new cruise line and six turnaround calls. 

‘These numbers reflect the growing demand for Porto & North of Portugal by an increasing number of cruise passengers and major cruise lines worldwide, who continue to choose Leixões for their itineraries,’ said João Pedro Neves, president of Leixões Port Authority.

He described the region as ‘one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe, as also proven by the record numbers registered on the Douro Waterway, which grew 11% in the number of passengers compared to 2023.’ 

Source markets

The UK remained the largest source market for passengers with 34%, followed by the US (24%) and Germany (23%). 

The average size of ships calling at Leixões also increased significantly, reaching a combined record total of 8.9m gt, which represents a growth of 28% compared to 2023.

Challenges

Cruise activity on the Atlantic Coast continues to be seasonal, which according to the port, presents a challenge. However, cruise activity was constant from April to November, with the exception of June. 

September was the busiest month, with 30,409 passengers, while May had the highest number of calls with 28 documented.

Sustainability

Leixões Port Authority will introduce shore power by 2030. 

As part of the Roadmap for Energy Transition Towards Carbon Neutrality in the Port of Leixões, since the beginning of 2024, passenger and crew transportation within the port has been carried out using a 100% electric bus (Eco Bus) and towing operations for cruises are carried out by new generation tugboats, which are safer and less polluting.

The Port of Leixões is a MedCruise member port.

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shore power

About the Author

Holly Payne

Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

Holly is Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review & Seatrade Cruise News and has experience managing a range of highly successful international business and consumer titles. With a flair for video reporting and a history of overseas work documenting people and places of diverse cultures, Holly brings a variety of skills to the Seatrade Cruise portfolio.

Holly’s academic credentials include oral and written Arabic language skills (intermediate-advanced), an MA Multimedia Journalism with NCTJ accreditation, and a BA (Hons) Degree in Classical and Archaeological Studies with English and American Literature.

 

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