The Port Authority of Ceuta (APC) and Ceuta Tourist Services (STC) started their participation in Seatrade Cruise Europe 2025 this Wednesday, one of the main international trade shows in the cruise sector, which is held in Hamburg until Friday, September 12. The joint presence of both institutions aims to reinforce Ceuta's position as a stopover port in European itineraries and establish new links with shipping companies for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The fair, which takes place at the Hamburg Messe und Congress venue, brings together more than 3,500 attendees from 80 countries, including 250 executives from cruise companies representing more than 50 brands. In addition to shipping companies, tour operators, service providers, technology companies, and sector associations also participate.
The Ceuta strategy for this edition is based on a promotion coordinated by the APC and STC, with an approach that combines the international projection of Ceuta as a tourist destination with the adaptation of its offering to the logistical and operational requirements of cruise companies. The proposal presented in Hamburg highlights the geostrategic location of the port as a natural link between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as a diverse tourist offer that covers nature, historical heritage, active and sustainable tourism, and gastronomy.
The design of tourist packages tailored to the stopover times and the demands of shipping companies is part of the commercial approach that Ceuta is deploying in front of sector operators. This type of adaptation is considered key to consolidating stopover agreements that generate a sustained economic return for the city, both in terms of commercial activity and services associated with tourism.
Ceuta's participation in Seatrade Europe is articulated around two institutional spaces. On one hand, it is framed within the joint promotion strategy of Suncruise Andalucía, an association that brings together the ports of general interest in Andalucía along with those of Ceuta and Melilla. On the other hand, Ceuta is part of the stand Ports of Spain, coordinated by Puertos del Estado, where all Spanish ports of general interest are presented. This double framing allows for greater visibility for the Ceuta port and facilitates its inclusion in joint initiatives for external promotion.
During the three days of the fair, representatives from the APC and STC will hold various bilateral meetings with shipping company representatives and tour operators. In these meetings, proposals will be discussed to incorporate Ceuta into new itineraries, explore strategic alliances, and consolidate commercial relationships that allow for an increase in the number of stopovers at the Ceuta port starting in 2026.
The officials of the Port Authority emphasize the importance of maintaining direct contact with decision-makers of shipping companies, both to resolve technical issues and to convey in detail the port's capabilities and the city's tourist appeal. Ceuta presents itself as a complementary destination for itineraries operating in the Atlantic and Mediterranean facades, with possibilities for development in both markets.
The commitment to the cruise segment is part of the economic diversification strategy promoted by the Autonomous City of Ceuta. Each stopover represents a direct economic impact on local activity, especially in sectors such as commerce, hospitality, tourism services, and transportation, in addition to contributing to job creation.
Participation in international fairs like Seatrade Europe complements other promotion lines that the Port Authority and STC have been developing in recent years. The progressive growth in the number of stopovers recorded recently points to a consolidation of the port as an emerging destination in cruise traffic.