Key Aspects:
- The Catania Cruise Port has added a third pier for cruise ships as port authorities strive to make the Sicilian destination a top Mediterranean cruise port.
- The new pier is large and deep enough to welcome multiple modern mega-ships at once, which will enhance the port’s capacity significantly.
- As the Italian port continues to strive for growth, a massive new parking lot has also been designed with tour buses and increased passenger traffic in mind.
While popular cruise destinations like Barcelona, Spain, are actively working to limit cruise operations with terminal reductions, another Mediterranean cruise port is doing the opposite.
Indeed, the Catania Cruise Port, which is one of four major cruise ports in Sicily, is actually expanding its capacity.
As of July 22, 2025, the renovation of a third berth for Catania, known as Pier 25, has officially been completed and significantly increases the port’s capacity.
Global Ports Holding (GPH), which manages the port, had the work completed as part of a larger breakwater project.
A newly upgraded 405-meter (or 1,328 foot) quay was created while a water depth of 9 meters (or 29.5 feet) was also established.
This means the berth is accessible to the biggest mega-ships on the high seas and allows for multiple ships to dock simultaneously.
“This was a fundamental intervention to bring the dock in line with today’s operational standards,” said Francesco Di Sarcina, engineer and president of the Eastern Sicilian Sea Port System Authority.
“We’ve restored the quay edge, recertified the bollards, upgraded the fenders, and—most critically—leveled the seabed, which had become uneven due to sediment shifts. Maintaining this depth through routine monitoring will be essential as cruise activity increases,” Di Sarcina elaborated.
The brand new Pier 25 connects to the port’s central pier, which is currently the longest and the scheduled site for a future cruise terminal.
The new pier also joins up with the quay adjacent to the breakwater, where additional work is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Supporting Future Growth
GPH, which is the largest independent cruise port operator in the world, has set a goal to increase cruise tourism and establish Catania as a top Eastern Mediterranean destination.
Not only has the Mediterranean retained its rank as the second most popular cruise market globally, but Catania specifically has been increasing in demand because it serves as a gateway to stunning sights like Mount Etna, Taormina, and Syracuse.
“The addition of a third operational berth represents a major leap in our ability to manage larger passenger volumes and welcome next-generation ships,” stated Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of GPH Italian Cruise Port.
“This project is a tangible example of successful collaboration between GPH and the Port System Authority and reflects our shared vision of transforming Catania Cruise Port into a leading Mediterranean destination,” he continued.
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Currently, the Catania Cruise Terminal welcomes approximately 250,000 guests every year, but that number is expected to grow with the port’s improved capacity.
Cruise tracking data shows that the port is expecting over 102 cruise calls between the peak 2025 cruise season of March to November, which also signals growth. This is up from the 98 ship visits recorded for 2024.
The cruise port has also built new infrastructure on land in order to support the greater numbers that could come from Pier 25.
For example, a new 7,000-square-meter (or 75,347 square feet) parking lot has been designed to accommodate tour buses for shore excursions and increased passenger traffic.
In May of 2025, port authorities also installed a symbolic peace emblem on the windows of the cruise terminal as a symbol of their commitment to promoting hospitality, as well as unity and cultural integration.
