15 November 2010; Barcelona Spain, First Day.

After a quiet night we arrived at 0630 at the pilot station of Barcelona. Again for the area to the north of us, near the Provence, gale warnings were given but by now we were far enough to the south not to be bothered by it. Barcelona has two port entrances; a new one that leads to the old port and the old one which used to serve both the new port and the old port. The two separated by a double draw bridge. As this bridge had to be opened frequently, causing great delays for the traffic going to the ferries docking on the Eastern breakwater, it was decided to create a 2nd entrance. This new entrance is serving the fishermen port, the shipyard, the marina and the docks around the World Trade Centre. Docking at the WTC has always been my favorite place as you can walk straight across the street into down town. However we were assigned one of the new cruise terminals as the WTC docks were going to be taken up in the evening by ferries coming from the Balearic Islands. So we lined up for the south, the old entrance.

The two entrances to Barcelona port; which runs North to South. In between the anchorage area, marked purple, for ships awaiting orders or waiting for a berth. the new extension of the port can be seen in the lower left, where the contours are shown by a thin line.

A rather interesting phenomenon is the departure of the Fishermen at 06.00 in the morning. It must be a local rule that the fishermen are only let out at 6 am, as we do not see a single one earlier until we approach the sea buoy and just after six they all come racing out like a herd of cows let out after a long winter in the shed. The first time I came across this, about 15 years ago, I tried to do what the Rules of the Road tell you to do, change course to starboard and get out of the way……… However that does not work because as soon as the fishing boats are clear of the harbour entrance, they spread out in all directions and you do not know what to do or what way to go. The pilot at that time advised, not to do anything at all, as the fishermen were used to swerving around the large ships going in or going out of the port. So yesterday, during our pre arrival meeting with all the deck officers, something we call a Bridge Resource Management meeting, I explained this phenomenon. They were not exactly convinced until those on watch saw it happening this morning. Still with two port entrances it is not so impressive anymore as it once was, as the fishermen now come piling out of the two, instead of all out of one.

So we followed the advice of that pilot from long ago and we kept going on our intended track. The fishermen swerved and there were no issues. By 0730 we were docked at one of the three new cruise terminals that have been built in the recent years. Here we will stay until tomorrow evening, giving the guests two days to explore Barcelona and its surrounding areas. The weather, which started out very gloomy today is supposed to cooperate and be clear and sunny for our stay. It did so this afternoon so I have high hopes. The Gales to the North should help with this as it normally draws away the clouds and moisture. The first time that a bit of bad weather will be in our favor.

The port of Barcelona is expanding quite fast. Both; because of the increase in cruise ships and because of the ferry and cargo trade. The Spanish have discovered cruising and every year more ships dedicated to this market arrive and quite a few of them sail from Barcelona. There are two main company’s Pullmantur, owned by Royal Caribbean and Ibero Cruceros, owned by the Carnival Corporation. Also Costa and MSC are serving the Spanish market and thus there is a big increase in cruise ships just because of this new home market. Then of course there are all the regular cruise ship calls of the ships on Mediterranean cruises.

This means that whole East breakwater has now been taken over by cruise ships and ferry docks. The west, mainland, side is in use for Bulk and container ships and that means that for other cargo a new harbour is created further to the south. A new breakwater is created into the sea and the area now enclosed filled in. The reason for going into the sea for expansion is because the whole port is located on a narrow strip of land under a high cliff that runs from the down town area all the way to the South. So there is nowhere to go but into the sea. Good business for the Dutch dredging company’s who have been contracted to do the work.

Tomorrow will be the 2nd day, and then we will have musical chairs on the dock. A project led by the chief officer.