The Port of Barcelona consolidates its role as a magnet for global investors

The Port of Barcelona Management Board meeting, held today, approved four key agreements to foster port competitiveness, logistics development, sustainability and modernisation of facilities within the port area, reaffirming the clear commitment of key global operators to the Catalan capital's port. The operations green-lighted today by the Port Management Board will enable the following actions: MSC will join Tercat via TiL; Lidl's hub for Europe will be enlarged; the OPS tender for the future Royal Caribbean terminal will go ahead, as will the comprehensive renovation of the W Hotel, owned by Marriott International. 

Transfer of 50% of Tercat shares to TiL 

Authorisation was given to transfer 50% of the shares of Terminal Catalunya, SAU (Tercat) by Barcelona Europe South Terminal (BEST) to Terminal Investments Limited Holding (TiL), a company majority owned by MSC, the world's leading shipping group. This operation bolsters the collaboration between two major international operators and maintains the character of a terminal that is open to general use. The agreement includes specific conditions to guarantee non-discrimination among users, continuity of service and compliance with concessionary obligations while maintaining the historical commitments taken on by Tercat in relation to the quality of the terminal's services and its competitiveness, both nationally and internationally. This authorisation is subject to rulings by the relevant competent authorities. 

Concession granted to CILSA to build a new warehouse for Lidl The Port of Barcelona has granted Centro Intermodal de Logística, SA (CILSA) an administrative concession of 99,135 m² in the ZAL Prat, formerly occupied by the company TOTAL, to build a logistics warehouse for storage with maritime traffic. The Port concession in Cilsa lasts for 34 years and is extendable. The project involves an investment of €42.1 million and has passed all administrative and public information procedures without objection. 

The warehouse, comprising 55,000 m2 of logistics space and a height of 15 metres - higher than usual for logistics warehouses - will be operated by Lidl, with which CILSA has signed a binding pre-contract for a period of an extendable 15-year period. The large size of the warehouse reflects the significance of this project, which will complement the two warehouses currently operated by Lidl in the ZAL Port. Once this new building cones on stream, Lidl will manage a total of 165,000m2 in this area. Lidl is currently the leading distribution chain in Europe. 

Tender for the OPS system for Cruise Terminal G 

Today the Management Board also approved the tender for the project for the installation of the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system in Cruise Terminal G, awarded under concession to Royal Caribbean Group through Catalonia Cruise Terminal G, S.L. This OPS is a key component in the terminal's environmental sustainability strategy, allowing vessels to connect to the onshore electrical grid while docked, thereby minimising polluting emissions. It is forecast to come on stream by the end of 2027. 

The €12.6 million turnkey contract includes drafting the executive project, building the electrical infrastructure and the connection, disconnection and maintenance service during the first two years, extendable by up to five years. This tender must be authorised by the Council of Ministers. To date, the Port of Barcelona has awarded €44 million in projects under the Nexigen Plan for Wharf Electrification since 2021. 

This OPS will operate connected to the new medium-voltage network that will be deployed throughout the Port of Barcelona to electrify the main wharves. The flagship of this network, the Port substation, will come on stream in early 2027 and, together with the underwater drilling between the Energy and Adossat wharves, also under construction, will enable the power supply needed to electrify the cruise terminals. 

The W Hotel will be completely renovated, with Marriott extending the term of its management 

The Management Board has also approved the addendum to the lease agreement between Nova Bocana Barcelona, SAU (NBB) and CIGAHOTELS España, SL, manager of the Hotel W Barcelona, part of Marriott International, the world's leading hotel group. The agreement provides for a 10-year extension, with an option for a further five years, up to 2041, and a comprehensive renovation of the hotel's rooms, common areas and facilities so that it can remain a global benchmark, thus consolidating the concessionaire and operator's commitment to the Port of Barcelona. The works must receive prior approval by the Port of Barcelona and will not affect the concession conditions.