The port invited several local administrations and entities to take part including Barcelona City Council, the Catalan government (Generalitat de Catalunya), Provincial Council of Barcelona, Delegation of the Central Government in Catalonia, port community, Air Routes Development Committee, economic and social entities as well as Cruise Lines International Association.
Five main objectives
The Council is focussing on five main objectives: to enhance the transparency and communication of cruise activity in the Port of Barcelona; create a space for sharing and coordinating initiatives launched by different institutions; reduce the negative impacts of cruises both on an environmental and social level; increase the social and economic return by the sector on the city and its hinterland and strengthen the connection of cruise companies with the city's business, training and employment sectors.
This new instrument provides continuity to the agreement signed between the Port and Barcelona City Council in 2018 which outlines the reduction of the number of cruise terminals to seven by 2027 with the closure of the cruise terminal located on Barcelona Sud wharf. This agreement involves an investment of €265m in public and private investment and new infrastructure along Adossat wharf.
The plan is to have several work committees focusing on environmental, social and economic sustainability. The founding document of the Cruise Sustainability Council also suggests 50 actions that are already underway or will start shortly and are framed within the three areas indicated.
Social sustainability
In the social sustainability area, the actions are focused on managing cruise passengers, homeporting activties and reducing congestion in the main tourist areas of the city; diversifying tourist assets and creating local jobs in the sector.
Environmental sustainability
Regarding environmental sustainability, the actions are aimed at reducing emissions from cruise ships; promoting low-emission ships and the energy transition in the Port; optimising water management; transforming waste into biogas; improving urban mobility and working towards biodiversity.
Homeporting
Homeporting activities bring the greateste conimic benefit to the city and the port plans to further increase its turnaround business.
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