Global Ports Holding Awarded a 30-Year Concession for Ferrol Cruise Port
Global Ports Holding (“GPH”), the world’s largest cruise port operator, has been awarded a 30-year concession for the operation of the Ferrol Cruise Port, located in the inner port of Ferrol, Spain.
The concession was granted to GPH following a competitive tender process launched by the Port Authority of Ferrol–San Cibrao (Autoridad Portuaria de Ferrol–San Cibrao). The closing of the transaction is subject to the successful execution of the concession agreement.
During the concession period, a new terminal building will be constructed on the outer jetty. The first phase will comprise a 480-square-metre building, followed by an expansion to 980 square metres in the second phase, expected to be completed in 2031.
Mehmet Kutman, Chairman & CEO of Global Ports Holding, said: “Ferrol represents an important milestone in our continued expansion across Spain and the Atlantic region. We look forward to investing in a modern cruise terminal that will elevate the guest experience and support the long-term growth of the destination.”
Ferrol is strategically located on the northwest coast of Spain, along key Atlantic cruise routes connecting Northern Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Canary Islands. This project will further strengthen GPH’s presence in Spain—where Ferrol will become its tenth port—while enhancing its footprint in the wider Atlantic region alongside its existing operations in Málaga, Las Palmas, Casablanca, and Lisbon.
Under the agreement, GPH will invest in the construction of a modern, open-access terminal designed to serve all cruise lines, shipping agents, and passenger service providers. The terminal will include dedicated areas for passenger check-in, luggage handling, and guidance services, with additional mobile facilities to accommodate ships berthing farther from the main building.
Leveraging GPH’s global operating expertise and strong relationships with cruise lines, Ferrol Cruise Port is expected to experience significant growth in cruise traffic. The number of passengers is projected to increase from approximately 23,000 in 2026 to around 80,000 by 2034 under GPH’s management.
