Global Ports Holding (GPH) has made two separate acquisitions in stakes of two cruise gateways after separate transactions with Royal Caribbean. A July 14 regulatory disclosure states GPH has completed the purchase of Royal Caribbean’s remaining 9.52% stake in the company behind Ege Port Kusadasi and signed an agreement to buy another 10% of Lisbon Cruise Port.
GPH now holds 99.99% of Ege Port, while the Lisbon purchase still depends on official approvals and other closing conditions before its indirect stake can rise from 50% to 60%.
Kusadasi becomes an almost wholly owned port operation
Kuşadası Cruise Port (Ege Port) is located right in the vibrant heart of the city’s town centre. Merely a 5-minute walk from the docks, it serves as the premier gateway to the ancient ruins of Ephesus located just 25 minutes (about 23 km) away. The port is capable of accommodating multiple large cruise ships simultaneously.
Ege Port is already a mature Global Ports Holding operation rather than a newly acquired terminal. The company traces its role at Kusadasi to 2003 and 2004, so the latest purchase removes a remaining minority partner instead of introducing a new operator to the waterfront.
Ege Port’s official site says the terminal closed 2025 with 617 cruise calls and 995,303 passengers, placing it at the centre of Turkey’s cruise market and giving the operator a large passenger flow to manage through the next investment cycle.
Lisbon agreement signed
The Port of Lisbon is located on the Tagus River, just 15 minutes from Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). Its central cruise terminals are located right next to the historic Alfama district, providing easy access to major transport hubs and the city centre.
that in a separate transaction, GPH signed a share purchase agreement with Royal Caribbean to acquire half of the cruise line’s 20% shareholding (10%) in Lisbon Cruise Port. Upon completion, GPH’s indirect shareholding in the Portuguese terminal will increase from 50% to 60%, giving it majority control. Royal Caribbean will retain the remaining 10% stake.
Seatrade Cruise News reported GPH and Royal Caribbean joined other partners in the consortium that won the concession to build and operate the Lisbon cruise terminal in 2014, which means the current agreement changes the balance inside an established partnership rather than transferring the public port itself. At 60%, GPH will have a larger majority position in the terminal operator.
The latest Lisbon transaction marks the evolution of a partnership that began over a decade ago. In 2014, GPH and Royal Caribbean were part of a consortium that won the 35-year concession to build and operate Lisbon’s cruise terminal through a €22m investment.
The original consortium saw GPH as lead investor with 40%, while RCL held 20%. The new terminal, which aimed to double Lisbon’s cruise traffic from 550,000 to an estimated 1.8m passengers, has become a key infrastructure asset in the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean cruise markets.
Strategic significance
The acquisitions strengthen GPH’s position in the Mediterranean cruise market. According to the company’s latest passenger statistics, cruise calls at GPH ports increased 9% year-over-year in June 2026, while passenger movements grew 10% compared to June 2025 levels.
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