Port of Cádiz Awards New Reina Sofía Cruise Terminal to MDT Port Investments

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz approved awarding the tender for the construction and operation of a new cruise terminal at the Reina Sofía Quay to MDT Port Investments, the Spanish subsidiary of the international ITM Group. The selected proposal mobilizes a private investment of 20.8 million euros and includes, in addition to the port infrastructure, a commercial and tourist area open to the public and passenger handling services.

MDT's project obtained 88.35 points out of 100, the highest rating among the bidders, nearly ten points ahead of the next-best offer. The Board of Directors' approval was granted on November 6. The project will be developed over approximately 60,215 square meters of land area, in addition to 20,000 square meters of water surface and 400 linear meters of berth, and is expected to be carried out in two phases of 18 months each, although the start date for construction has not yet been specified.

The new facility will join the terminals already operating at Alfonso XIII Quay and Ciudad Quay, becoming the third cruise passenger terminal in Cádiz. According to Info Puertos, the tender was launched in November 2025, and the terms set an initial 35-year concession, extendable up to a maximum of 50 years depending on additional investment, with the requirement that the terminal be available for use by third-party operators.

MDT's sustainability model was one of the most highly rated aspects of the project. The proposal includes electrifying the berths so that ships can plug into shore power, reducing emissions and noise during their stay in port, along with energy efficiency measures, water conservation, and the creation of extensive open spaces and green areas for the enjoyment of tourists and the public.

The transformation of Reina Sofía Quay depends on the reorganization of port traffic, since the area currently hosts container operations that must be relocated to the New Container Terminal at La Galeona. According to Splash Cruise, the project is part of a broader reorganization of the port front, with cruise and commercial uses planned on land currently associated with those operations. The Port Authority and MDT Port Investments will soon present the final layout of the terminal and the new commercial and public spaces planned for the quay.