The Port of Malaga expects as many as 450,000 cruise passengers in 2009, as well as some 300 cruise ships – an increase of 27 percent over 2008, when the Spanish port reported 353,000 passengers.

2008 saw a 20 percent increase over 2007, when Malaga accommodated 293,000 passengers.

An expansion project for Malaga’s south berth is also expected to begin this year – a 14.5 million euro investment, according to a spokesperson. In addition, the north berth of the terminal is currently under construction and “could be in use by this summer.” And its berths for medium and small cruise ships are also in the process of being redesigned.