Málaga took part this week in Seatrade Europe 2025, one of the leading cruise industry gatherings in Europe, held in Hamburg. The city participated under the umbrella of Puertos del Estado, together with 24 other Spanish port authorities, and with a prominent institutional and professional delegation including representatives from the Málaga Port Authority, Málaga City Council’s Tourism Department, Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol, the Regional Ministry of Tourism and Andalucía Exterior of the Junta de Andalucía, as well as with the support of Málaga Cruise Port, Suncruise Andalucía, and Fundación Málagaport. The Spanish presence stood out as one of the most prominent pavilions of the fair, showcasing a cohesive and competitive image of the national port system.
As part of this important event, on September 11 Málaga took center stage during one of the fair’s most symbolic moments by officially handing over the baton of Seatrade Med to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which will host the next edition on September 23–24, 2026. This handover marked the conclusion of Málaga’s successful tenure as host city for the 2022 and 2024 editions, paving the way for the Canary Islands to begin preparations for the upcoming event.
A united and future-oriented port system
The fair also hosted the traditional institutional meeting organized by Puertos del Estado with international cruise industry representatives. During the session, Pedro García Navarro, Director of Operations of Puertos del Estado, highlighted the value of the joint representation of Spanish port authorities, underlining that presenting under a single structure strengthens the global projection of the national port system.
He emphasized that this strategy not only allows individual ports to present their unique offerings, but also builds a stronger and more coordinated proposition aligned with the challenges of the international market. In his remarks, he stressed the importance of the cruise sector for the Spanish economy, both in terms of job creation and economic impact, and pointed out the need to advance toward a sustainable model, with initiatives such as shore power electrification and closer cooperation with port communities.
With this handover, Málaga concludes a significant stage as host port and reaffirms its position as a benchmark Mediterranean cruise destination, with a clear commitment to sustainability, service quality, and institutional cooperation.
Looking ahead, Global Ports Holding – our parent company and the world’s largest cruise port operator – will also be present and actively collaborating in the next edition of this prestigious fair in 2026, reinforcing its dedication to innovation and excellence in the cruise industry.
