The Port Authority of Barcelona has welcomed an investment of more than €30 million to build and operate a second private cruise terminal at the Port of Barcelona.

The cash will come from Carnival Corporation, which presently sees seven of its ten cruise line brands use the Barcelona as both a destination and home port.

As part of the agreement, the Port Authority granted Carnival Corporation administrative concessions to operate the cruise terminal and all-new parking facility at Europe’s largest port and the fourth busiest port in the world.

With the agreement, Carnival Corporation has been granted approval to begin the final design process and start construction of the new terminal in 2016.

Scheduled to open as early as 2018 in the Port’s Adossat wharf, the new terminal will be one of Europe’s largest at 11,500 square meters.

In addition, Carnival Corporation will collaborate with the Port to build and open the first public parking facility located on the cruise pier, providing guests embarking on cruises convenient access to over 300 parking spaces.

“As an all-new, next-generation cruise facility, the terminal will be designed to enhance the overall cruise experience for Carnival Corporation’s guests,” said Michel Nestour, managing director of Carnival Corporation terminal operations in Barcelona.

“This will include making it easy and convenient for guests, whether they are arriving at the terminal to begin a cruise vacation, disembarking following the completion of a cruise or visiting Barcelona as one of the ports of call on a cruise.

“In all cases, our goal is to exceed guest expectations through every stage of the cruise experience, and this new terminal will be built to meet that goal.”

Across its six existing terminals in 2014, the Port of Barcelona had 764 cruise calls and over 2.36 million passenger movements.

Overall, according to studies by the Barcelona’s Tourist Office in 2013, cruise passengers had an economic impact of nearly €257 million in Barcelona based on spending on restaurants, transport and trade in the city.

“We are excited about our ongoing partnership with Carnival Corporation to enhance our facilities at the Port of Barcelona and continue our momentum as one of the top cruise destinations in the world,” said Sixte Cambra, president of the Port Authority of Barcelona.

“This new agreement ensures that we will continue to meet the growing popularity of cruising to and from Barcelona, accommodate the latest in cruise ship designs and most importantly provide cruise passengers with the highest levels of quality and service.”