New Port to serve Cruises to Porto

Thursday, 13 May 2010 18:33

The Port of Leixões is building a new cruise terminal. This project includes the Cruise Terminal building, the new quay that will allow the calls of vessels up to 300m long, with approximately 2,500 passengers and turnaround cruise vessels, the  Science and Technology Park of the Sea of UP, which will be located in the two upper floors of the building. The construction of the Passenger Terminal building, which will allow turnaround operations, will begin in the last quarter of 2010, and will be completed in the first quarter of 2013. The Porto as a tourism destination has gained prominence, the tourism demand has been growing as well as the satisfaction of the foreign visitors. In this scenario, and aiming to increase the number and size of vessels calling Leixoes, the Port Authority, faced with optimism the forthcoming Cruise seasons, seeks to promote the best conditions for the reception of its cruise ships. The total project has an estimated cost of 49.9 million Euros, of which 21 million are designated for maritime works and 28 million to the terminal building. The construction of the new pier is planned for the first quarter of 2011. For May 2011, approximately 60 vessels calls are already booked. Amongst these calls, 15 vessels will be over 250m long, larger than the current capacity of the Port of Leixões.