Severe Drought in Spain Impacts Water Supply for Cruise Ships

Spain is grappling with its most severe drought in a century, with Catalonia, including Barcelona, and Andalusia, Spain’s most populated region, bearing the brunt of the crisis. The drought has prompted Catalonia to declare a state of emergency.

As the winter recedes and the spring cruise season looms, water scarcity poses a significant challenge for ships sailing to Catalonia, especially Barcelona, Spain’s largest cruise port. In response, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and local authorities have agreed to suspend water supplies from the Port of Barcelona to cruise ships during drought emergencies, except in emergencies.

The impact of this water intake restriction on cruise ships largely depends on their onboard water production capacity. Over the years, cruise ships have significantly reduced reliance on ports for freshwater supplies. These vessels can now independently generate over 90% of their freshwater needs thanks to innovations like evaporators and reverse osmosis plants.

This industry-wide effort has resulted in a substantial decrease in water bunkering at the Port of Barcelona, from 50% of calls in 2017 to less than 30% in 2022. The goal for this year is to further reduce the number of cruise ships requiring water during their call to 10%.

However, the water restrictions at one of Europe’s busiest cruise ports will undoubtedly impact the city’s situation and potentially increase requests for fresh water at other ports. Environmental activists are calling for similar measures in the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, Spain’s second busiest cruise port.

The Platform against Mallorca Megacruises advocates for restrictions on supplying water to ships docking in Mallorca, stating that the significant water needs of cruise ships pose a risk to the islands’ water resources. This could lead to water usage limits to ensure residents are not affected.

As more cruise ships sail towards the Mediterranean in the coming months, the demand for freshwater will inevitably increase. If the drought persists through spring and summer, cruise ships may opt for a day at sea to produce sufficient fresh water, a process only possible while at sea. Consequently, guests should brace for potential port call cancellations.