Cruise Retail
Global Ports Holding extends footprint with Casablanca agreement
Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest independent cruise port operator, has been awarded preferred bidder status for a 15-year concession agreement to operate the Casablanca new cruise terminal. The project will include developing a range of services including retail and commercial.
The agreement is with Agence Nationale des Ports (ANP), and follows a public tender process. GPH is 51% shareholder in the preferred bidder consortium alongside local shareholder Steya (40%) and Ocean Infrastructures Management (9%).
The cruise port facilities recently underwent a €60 million investment led by ANP. This included the construction of a new cruise pier, cruise terminal and maritime station to international standards, significantly increasing the port’s capacity.
The port is now capable of handling ships up to 350m long and has the cruise port infrastructure to welcome 400,000 guests a year. Casablanca Cruise Port is expected to welcome around 150,000 transit passengers in 2024, rising to about 180,000 passengers in 2025.
How the new-look Casablanca cruise port will take shape under GPH management
Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, offers cruise passengers a blend of traditional Moroccan culture and contemporary experiences, noted GPH. It is also the cruise gateway to Rabat and the Red City of Marrakech.
Located on the Northwest coast of Africa, Casablanca is a key stopover port for Canary Island and West Mediterranean cruises, as well as crossing sailings between Europe and the Caribbean.
*Global Ports Holding Vice President Business Development Retail & Ancillary Andres Villalever will be a speaker at Seatrade Cruise Global – The Retail Day on 10 April in Miami. The retail sessions are co-organised by Seatrade and The Moodie Davitt Report. Click here for more.
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The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 333 | 9 April 2023
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