The Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) is preparing to take centre stage in the international cruise calendar in September 2026 as it welcomes Seatrade Cruise Med, one of the principal professional gatherings serving cruise markets across the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions. Scheduled for September 16th–17th at the newly developed Las Palmas Cruise Port terminal on Santa Catalina Pier, the event is positioned as both an industry meeting point and a demonstration of the port’s growing strategic significance within transatlantic maritime networks.
The event will assemble cruise operators, port authorities, terminal managers, logistics providers, tourism representatives, maritime service companies and specialist media into a concentrated business environment. Beyond commercial exchange, the gathering is expected to provide a platform through which the Port Authority of Las Palmas can present its expanding operational capacity, connectivity and geographic advantage linking Europe, Africa and the Americas through the mid-Atlantic.
The timing coincides with a period of sustained expansion in cruise activity across the province. In 2025, the Port Authority of Las Palmas recorded more than two million cruise passengers for the first time in a single year, closing at 2,089,042 cruise travellers and contributing to total passenger movements of 3,622,329 across its 5 ports. These figures reinforce the region’s increasing relevance to international cruise deployment strategies and underline the Canary Islands’ growing appeal as both a port of call and a potential homeport base.
Such performance positions the ports under the authority of Las Palmas among the more prominent maritime tourism gateways in the Atlantic and strengthens the case for continued development of routes, seasonal deployment and turnaround operations. Combined maritime and air connectivity further supports expectations of continued growth in cruise activity over the coming years.
At the centre of the event will be the new Las Palmas Cruise Port terminal at Santa Catalina Pier, an infrastructure project conceived to meet changing requirements in modern cruise operations. Developed as one of the most significant maritime tourism investments in the mid-Atlantic region, the terminal spans approximately 14,000 square metres over two levels and is designed to accommodate up to four vessels simultaneously.
Operated by Las Palmas Cruise Port, part of Global Ports Holding, the terminal represents an investment exceeding EUR 40 million and forms part of a broader renewal programme for cruise infrastructure across the province. Its scale and operational capability are intended to reinforce Las Palmas’ position as an international cruise gateway and support higher vessel volumes and increased passenger flows.
During Seatrade Cruise Med, the terminal will serve as the principal exhibition and conference venue, transforming into a centre for commercial displays, technical sessions, industry meetings and professional networking. Organisers anticipate participation from more than 2,000 professionals, over 180 exhibitors and representatives from more than 200 cruise companies spanning close to 100 countries, underscoring the international reach of the event.
The economic implications extend beyond port operations. The arrival of Seatrade Cruise Med is expected to stimulate activity across accommodation, hospitality, retail and destination services while creating additional opportunities for local businesses connected to tourism and excursion delivery.
Historical precedent from previous host cities suggests that the visibility generated by the event can contribute to longer-term growth in cruise traffic and destination positioning. Past editions have coincided with notable increases in passenger volumes across several European ports, reinforcing the value of hosting as both a commercial and promotional exercise.
The selection of Las Palmas reflects recognition of both recent infrastructure development and the wider capacity of Gran Canaria to host international maritime events connected to the blue economy. Supported by regional institutions, tourism bodies and private-sector partners, Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 is expected to place the Canary Islands firmly within ongoing discussions concerning the evolution of cruise operations across the Atlantic and beyond.