TARANTO, 21 FEBRUARY 2026 - A decisive step towards revitalising the cruise sector at the Port of Taranto has been taken: the Ionian Sea Port System Authority (AdSPMI) and Taranto Cruise Port (TCP) signed a framework agreement yesterday that will kick-start the construction of a new cruise terminal at the Ionian port.
A modern and sustainable infrastructure that embodies the long-term commitment of an internationally renowned operator such as Global Ports Holding (GPH) to investing in Taranto as a destination. GPH, the majority shareholder of Taranto Cruise Port, is the world’s largest independent cruise terminal operator, with an established presence in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.
As part of a wider development project, the new terminal will enhance the appeal of the port on the Ionian coast, meeting the demands of shipping companies which have expressed the need for dedicated cruise infrastructure, partly so that they may choose the port of Taranto as their home port, as is already the case with Costa Cruises.
Over the past few months, TCP and the Sea Port System Authority have been in discussions with the aim of agreeing on the administrative procedure to be followed, namely the procedural
agreement on which the Sea Port System Authority’s Management Committee had unanimously expressed a favourable opinion at its meeting on 2 February. The agreement provides, amongst other things, for an extension of TCP’s concession period by a further 10 years..
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“We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone with Taranto Cruise Port”, said Giovanni Gugliotti, Chairman of AdSPMI. “The new terminal will not only enhance our infrastructure, but will also transform Taranto into a key gateway to the cultural and natural heritage of the Ionian coast of Puglia, supporting the blue economy and the sustainable development of the region.”
“The signing of today’s agreement marks a significant milestone for Taranto Cruise Port and demonstrates Global Ports Holding’s commitment to boosting cruise traffic at the Port of Taranto. The positive effects will benefit the port community and the city, and could also have a significant economic impact on the wider region”, these are the words of Stephen Xuereb, COO of Global Ports Holding.
