Las Palmas Opens 14,000-Sqm Santa Catalina Cruise Terminal

Las Palmas Cruise Port began operating its new cruise terminal at Santa Catalina Pier on October 2, 2025, marked by the arrival of Celebrity Apex in Gran Canaria. Port and terminal leaders said the start of operations is part of a wider modernization push that also includes new passenger boarding bridges and upgrades to public areas around the pier.

Operational launch begins with Celebrity Apex

Celebrity Apex was the first ship to call at the new facility, berthing at Santa Catalina Pier on October 2, 2025. The inaugural visit included a plaque exchange with the ship’s captain and representatives of the port authority.

Beatriz Calzada, president of the Las Palmas Port Authority, linked the opening to the port’s ambitions in both turnaround and transit cruising. “Las Palmas Cruise Port represents a major step forward in our infrastructure and service offerings,” Calzada said, adding that the terminal is intended to strengthen Las Palmas as “a key hub for both homeport and transit cruise operations.”

Terminal scale, operators, and vessel capacity

Described by the Las Palmas Port Authority as the largest cruise terminal in Europe, the new facility spans 14,000 square meters across two floors. It is operated by Global Ports Holding (GPH) in partnership with local company SEPCAN, and includes retail and dining areas designed to support both transit calls and homeport operations.

Operationally, the terminal is designed to handle up to four vessels at the same time and incorporates three boarding bridges intended to streamline embarkation and disembarkation.

The broader project also includes an exterior esplanade, landscaped zones, pedestrian walkways, and a restored palm grove. The port authority said renovations and enhancements in the surrounding area were part of the overall terminal launch.

Three new boarding bridges added at Santa Catalina

Alongside the terminal opening, Las Palmas Cruise Port installed three new passenger boarding bridges designed and manufactured by Milán Port Equipment. The port said the bridges were produced in Almería and shipped to Gran Canaria by sea already assembled.

Two bridges are located in the Santa Catalina Poniente area and connect to a 220-meter fixed walkway. A third bridge was installed in the Santa Catalina Naciente area with a 140-meter fixed walkway.

According to the port, the bridges are intended to enhance accessibility, safety, and operational efficiency, while meeting national and international requirements covering design standards, accessibility, and occupational risk prevention.

Safety, monitoring, and passenger-flow features

Las Palmas Cruise Port said each bridge includes onboard and remote monitoring systems designed to support safe operations, including during challenging weather. The port highlighted the following features:

• Triple-redundant safety system, intended to maintain safe operation through multiple layers of protection.
• Online monitoring from the terminal, allowing operational oversight during boarding and disembarkation.
• Surveillance cameras and alarms, supporting real-time situational awareness and incident response.
• Anemometers and fire detection systems, intended to improve safety controls in changing conditions.
• Automatic anchoring devices, designed to help stabilize and secure the bridge during use.

The port also said passenger experience was a design focus, citing bright, spacious interiors, safety glass panels, clear information signage, and ramps and adjustable access points intended to reduce obstacles and support passenger flow.

Adaptability for different ship designs

Las Palmas Cruise Port said the bridges can be adapted to serve a range of cruise ships calling at Santa Catalina, with an adjustable height range from two to 14 meters above the quay. The port said this helps the bridges align with different ship door heights and tide-related differences.

Sustainability measures and the wider Canary Islands investment plan

Calzada said sustainability was a design priority for the terminal, describing it as aligned with the port authority’s focus on innovation and responsible development. The port authority said construction incorporated environmental and innovation criteria, including recycled and eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, solar power, and responsible waste management.

Susana Gutiérrez, general manager of GPH Canary Islands Cruise Ports, described the operational start as a turning point for the port. “We are very pleased with the launch of the new cruise terminal. This project marks the beginning of a new era for the Port of La Luz,” Gutiérrez said. She added that the project is intended to support more professional cruise services and “reaffirm our commitment to sustainable growth on the island,” while strengthening Gran Canaria’s position in international cruise itineraries.

For the boarding bridges, the port emphasized efficiency and sustainability elements such as clean energy systems, natural ventilation, and maximizing daylight, adding that a study of local climate conditions was used to support performance and durability.

The terminal and related upgrades form part of a 40 million euro investment plan aimed at modernizing cruise infrastructure across Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. With the Santa Catalina terminal now in service, port leaders said further modernization tied to the program is expected to continue as projects progress across the islands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did the new Las Palmas cruise terminal begin operations?

The terminal began operating with the arrival of Celebrity Apex at Santa Catalina Pier on October 2, 2025.

How large is the new terminal and how many vessels can it handle at once?

The terminal spans 14,000 square meters across two floors and is designed to accommodate up to four vessels simultaneously. The facility incorporates three boarding bridges intended to streamline passenger movements.

Who operates and who built the new Santa Catalina cruise terminal?

The terminal is operated by Global Ports Holding (GPH) with local partner SEPCAN, and it was constructed by Satocan.

What features and capabilities do the new passenger boarding bridges provide?

Las Palmas Cruise Port said each bridge includes systems such as a triple-redundant safety setup, online monitoring from the terminal, surveillance cameras, anemometers, fire detection systems, alarms, and automatic anchoring devices. The bridges are also designed to adapt to different ships, with an adjustable height range from two to 14 meters above the quay.

What is included in the 40 million euro investment plan mentioned by the port?

The port authority said the 40 million euro plan is intended to modernize cruise infrastructure across Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, with the Santa Catalina terminal and related boarding and public-area upgrades forming part of that broader program.