The works for the construction of the new Terminal for reception of cruise passengers have began last Monday 18th October, and will be concluded by spring next year, before the beginning of the peak season for the cruise traffic in the port of A Coruña.
The objective of this project, requested for years by the operating companies, is to offer better services and attention to the travellers who arrive at the port.
The awarded budget for these works, 50% financed by the EU Cohesion Funds is 636,626 Euros. The scheduled time for the works will be five months, and includes the demolition of the present building and setting up a temporary structure to lodge the passengers during the period of works.
The new Terminal has been designed by the architect César Portela, with steel and glass as key materials to keep the style with the buildings in the surroundings of Trasatlánticos Quay.
The Terminal will have a ground floor with a built surface of 495 mtr2, besides the area devoted to the transit and boarding of passengers, it will be equipped with spaces for the State’s security forces, Customs, Harbour Authority, and operators, as well as waiting room and tourist information and toilets.
In addition, the terminal will accomplish all necessary security requirements and fire-fighting systems, besides air conditioning and illumination, network voice-data etc.
The Cruise traffic is a very important sector for the Port Authority, due to its important contribution to the diffusion of the city image and the benefits for the tourism and services sector.
For 2010 it is expected to close the year with a sensible increase with respect to 2009 and for 2011, the forecasts aim at a remarkable increase, with the possible arrival of around 100,000 cruise passengers.
