Ceuta, with a surface area of just 19 km² on the northern coast of Africa, relies on the sea as its main route for connection and supply. The port is not only the gateway for essential goods such as food, fuel and water, but also the fourth busiest in Spain for regular passenger traffic, handling more than two million travellers each year. The need to modernise this infrastructure stems from increased traffic volumes, legislative changes and the challenge of strengthening security in the face of global risks. As the terminal is the first and last space experienced by passengers, the project has taken shape as a landmark building, safeguarding mobility and reinforcing the city’s territorial cohesion with mainland Spain.
Since December 2025, the port and the Autonomous City of Ceuta have been served by a modern passenger terminal at the Cañonero Dato Wharf, designed by Ineco for the Port Authority. The development covers a total area of 34,123.20 m². Ineco led both the drafting of the detailed design and the site supervision and technical assistance for the works, delivering a facility that doubles pre-boarding space and enhances the port’s operational capacity.
Architecture, passenger flows and security
The new building, covering approximately 6,600 m² over two floors, is conceived as a composition of overlapping volumes that create a strong visual landmark. Its layout allows for the complete separation of incoming and outgoing passenger flows, a key factor in ensuring security and efficient embarkation. The ground floor houses a large concourse, retail areas and premises for the National Police and the Guardia Civil. The upper floor connects directly to the boarding galleries and includes pre-boarding lounges with security checkpoints equipped with scanners and X-ray systems. Outside, a large canopy more than 46 metres long links the new terminal to the existing one, providing a covered route to the taxi rank.
Urban design and operational efficiency
The project also encompasses the reorganisation of external areas to clearly define pedestrian and vehicle movements. Public parking has been provided for 280 cars, together with seven bus bays and a taxi holding area for 25 vehicles. In addition to the new building, the boarding galleries 3 and 4 have been refurbished, improving accessibility through tactile paving and Braille signage. The infrastructure incorporates measures to optimise energy consumption, efficient lighting systems and sustainable materials, enabling more streamlined operations with a reduced environmental footprint. The result is enhanced economic and social return, delivering significant time savings for users of the Ceuta–Algeciras route
