MSC Cruises is set to launch operations at its brand-new terminal in the Port of Barcelona this Saturday. The new facility, located at Terminal H in Muelle Adosado, spans 12,580 square meters and represents a €50 million investment aimed at enhancing the company’s presence in the Catalan capital.

The MSC Fantasia will be the first ship to dock at the terminal, arriving from Tunis before continuing to Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, and La Goulette in Tunisia.

MSC Cruises had been working toward establishing its own terminal in Barcelona for years, a vision that became a reality when the Port of Barcelona’s Board of Directors approved a 31-year concession for the company in 2021.

Designed by Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura (RBTA)—the firm behind Barcelona Airport—the terminal boasts a modern, white interior inspired by El Prat Airport, with four skylights providing ample natural light.

To improve efficiency, the terminal includes facial recognition technology via WiFi, expediting the boarding process for passengers.

Sustainability is also a key focus. The terminal features energy-saving technologies, solar panels, and sustainable materials, in addition to a water collection system for reuse. Ships will also be able to connect to the electrical grid, reducing emissions while docked.

The three-story facility is designed to optimize passenger flow, with two vertical circulation areas featuring staircases, escalators, and elevators for smooth boarding and disembarkation.

MSC’s new terminal is expected to host one ship per day and facilitate approximately 190 stops in 2025. On an average day, the terminal will employ about 100 people, with 150 to 200 workers needed for larger ships.