The Port of Lisbon recorded its best year for cruises in 2023, surpassing the 700,000 passenger barrier (758,328), a 54% increase compared to 2022, surpassing the 2018 record, it was announced today.
In a statement, the Port of Lisbon points out that the record was set in 2018, when it registered 577,603 cruise passengers.
According to the Port of Lisbon, the record for stopovers was 347, 20 more than in 2022.
“Turnaround calls also registered a new record, 107, surpassing the absolute maximum of 103 calls recorded in the same period of the previous year,” the statement said.
Of the total number of passengers, 204,000 are from the ‘turnaround’ segment, i.e. cruises that embark and/or disembark at the cruise terminal in the Portuguese capital.
This figure, according to the Port of Lisbon, represents an increase of 131% in this segment.
“We should highlight the biggest ever turnaround operation at the Port of Lisbon, on July 30, with the movement of 9,163 passengers, of which 4,476 embarked and 4,687 disembarked,” according to the entity.
As far as source markets are concerned, the company said that in 2023 Europe remained the main source market for cruise passengers to Lisbon, with the UK leading the way, accounting for 38% of the total.
The USA overtook Germany and is now in second place, with a 116% increase in passengers, representing 20% of the total.
“Germany, despite growing by 14%, fell 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,” the note states.
According to the company, in 2023, the Port of Lisbon saw an 8.7% increase in cargo ship calls – 2,045 calls – which handled 11 million tons, and a 6% increase in cruise ship calls, which handled a record 758,328 passengers.
In terms of cargo, there was an 11% increase in general cargo, to 4.6 million tons, and a 13% rise in containerized cargo.
“The Alcântara Container Terminal, whose investment project to modernize it is in its second phase, contributed to this recovery, recording a 48% increase in tons handled,” says the Port of Lisbon.
According to the note, the new services that began operating at this terminal in 2023, namely to South America, were decisive in increasing the supply available to companies wishing to export from Lisbon.
As for the bulk market, 9.6% more liquid bulk was handled, with a 600% increase in the bunker market (supply of fuel to ships offshore).
“Of particular note in solid bulk was the growth in products such as wheat, barley, rapeseed and sugar, of over 40%,” says the Port of Lisbon.
