The Port of Lisbon recorded its best year for cruises in 2023, breaking the 700 thousand passenger barrier (758,328), an increase of 54% compared to 2022, surpassing the record of 2018, it was announced today.
A statement from the Port of Lisbon stressed that the record was set in 2018, when 577,603 cruise passengers were registered.
The record was 347 ports of call, up 20 from 2022, according to the Port of Lisbon.
“The number of U-turn stops also set a new record of 107, surpassing the all-time high of 103 stops recorded during the same period last year,” the note said.
Of the total number of passengers, 204 thousand are in the “turnaround” segment, that is, cruises that depart and/or disembark at the cruise terminal of the Portuguese capital.
This figure, according to the Port of Lisbon, represents a growth of 131% in this segment.
“A particular highlight was the largest ever turnaround operation at the Port of Lisbon on July 30, when 9,163 passengers were transported, of which 4,476 boarded and 4,687 disembarked,” the company said.
In terms of pick-up markets, the company says Europe will remain the top pick-up market for cruise passengers to Lisbon in 2023, with the UK leading the way, accounting for 38% of the total.
The US has overtaken Germany to rank second with a 116% increase in passenger numbers, accounting for 20% of the total.
“Germany, despite an increase of 14%, dropped to third place with 15%. Canada and Portugal occupy fourth and fifth place respectively, with significant increases in passenger numbers (+172% and +88%) compared to the previous year,” mentions in the note.
According to the company, in 2023 the port of Lisbon recorded an 8.7% increase in cargo ship calls – 2,045 calls – handling 11 million tons, as well as a further 6% increase in cruise ship calls with a record 758,328 passengers.
As for cargo, general cargo grew by 11% to 4.6 million tons, and container cargo by 13%.
“The Alcantara Container Terminal, whose modernization investment project is in its second phase, has contributed to this recovery by registering a 48% increase in tons handled,” says the Port of Lisbon.
According to the report, new services that began operating at the terminal in 2023, especially to South America, have played a decisive role in increasing the supply available to companies seeking to export from Lisbon.
In the liquid cargo market, a further 9.6% of liquid cargo was moved, with particular emphasis on the 600% increase in the bunkering (fuel supply to marine vessels) market.
“Of particular note is the growth of products such as wheat, barley, rapeseed and sugar, exceeding 40%,” points out the Port of Lisbon.