APS Bank has announced the completion and official inauguration of Terminal Donato Bramante, a major infrastructure project it financed for Roma Cruise Terminal Srl (RCT) at the Port of Civitavecchia, Rome.

The bank financed the development and expansion of Roma Cruise Terminal’s facilities, including the construction of the new Terminal Donato Bramante at the Port of Civitavecchia.

The new cruise terminal – developed jointly by global cruise operators Costa Crociere, Marinvest (MSC), and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd – expands the port’s passenger-handling capacity and complements the existing Terminal Amerigo Vespucci. Civitavecchia remains one of the Mediterranean’s busiest cruise hubs, with 3.4 million passengers and 841 cruise calls recorded in 2024. Traffic is expected to rise further to 3.5 million passengers and 866 calls in 2025. Since RCT began operations in 2007, nearly 42 million passengers have passed through the port.

The new facility includes a contemporary check-in hall with 23 stations, expandable to 46, along with 30 real-time information screens and a dedicated cruise bar. Its interior design draws inspiration from iconic Roman and Civitavecchian landmarks.

The terminal is powered by photovoltaic panels and, from next year, will allow access only to electric or hybrid vehicles. This aligns with ongoing electrification efforts across the port’s cruise docks.

The construction phase also generated local economic activity. Twenty companies were involved in the project, half of which are based in Civitavecchia.

Beyond the terminal itself, the project incorporated extensive enhancements to the quayside. These include widening the quay from 9 to 22 metres, installing heavy-capacity bollards, and introducing new LAN systems designed to improve docking, manoeuvring and overall operational efficiency.

These improvements are expected to strengthen Civitavecchia’s standing as a key Mediterranean turnaround port, supporting growth in accommodation, transport and other services that cater to millions of cruise passengers annually.

The inauguration was attended by senior port officials, executives from Costa Crociere, MSC and Royal Caribbean, the Ambassador of Malta to Italy, RCT partners, and APS Bank representatives.

APS Bank CEO Marcel Cassar noted the significance of the collaboration, stating: “We are proud to have supported the development of the new Terminal Donato Bramante, a project that strengthens Civitavecchia’s position as the ‘Port of Rome’. Its successful and timely execution, barely a year since we signed the loan agreement."