Work has started on a new cruise terminal at the Port of Almería, with completion expected in the first months of 2027. The Autoridad Portuaria de Almería (APA) is moving the project forward after cruise ship visits rose 40% over the past year, aiming to strengthen Almería’s position among Mediterranean ports.
The €689,899.89 contract, including VAT, went to Transformaciones y Embalses Parra. The terminal will cover more than 422 square meters in the southwest part of the Estación Marítima. Designed for cruise passengers, it will have a private entrance and a panoramic accessible elevator. A large waiting area will offer charging stations and internet. The terminal will also include a tourist information point to help travelers get from the ship to the city center, along with new spaces for state security forces.
APA president Rosario Soto pointed to the focus on quality infrastructure, citing the recent addition of a fixed walkway and finger bridge connecting ferries and cruise ships to the basic terminal. That earlier project cost nearly €2.8 million. Soto plans to present these upgrades to cruise industry operators at Seatrade Cruise Med, aiming to attract more cruise traffic and raise Almería’s profile. Local media, citing APA leadership, have reported that the changes form part of a broader effort to make the port more competitive and visible to international cruise lines. APA also plans to showcase its new cruise services and port change projects at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 in Las Palmas. The event is expected to gather more than 2,000 industry professionals from over 90 countries, information from industry media reports.
The cruise terminal is part of a broader modernization plan for the Estación Marítima and nearby buildings. The UTE Ferrer-GMÁSP consortium is preparing the basic project, which will address the appearance and energy efficiency of four buildings: the basic maritime station (8,244 m²) and a multi-service building (647 m²). The remaining two buildings are annexes (481 m² and 244 m²). The updates are intended to better connect the port with the city and support environmental goals. The basic phase of the Puerto-Ciudad project has a budget of €24.3 million. More than 20 companies and over 50 representatives attended the technical inspection before submitting bids, information from procurement documents.
Cruise passengers will get direct access from their ship to a new terminal, with improved amenities. The route into Almería’s city center should also be easier. For the port and the city, the investment targets tourism as Almería seeks a larger share of the Mediterranean cruise business. The schedule is tight, and work is underway.
