Left, top: Marcel Cassar, CEO APS Bank, H.E. Daniel Azzopardi, Ambassador of Malta to Italy, John Portelli, General Manager RCT;
Left, bottom: Daniel Agius, Senior Corporate Banking Manager, Giovanni Bartolotta, Chief Risk Officer, Marcel Cassar, CEO, Graziella Grech, Senior Advances Legal Manager.
Right: Images of the new Terminal Donato Bramante.
APS Bank proudly announces the completion and inauguration of the new Terminal Donato Bramante, a project which the Bank financed for Roma Cruise Terminal Srl (RCT) at the Port of Civitavecchia, Rome. The new terminal, developed jointly by the world’s largest cruise companies – Costa Crociere Spa, Marinvest Srl (MSC) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd – complements the existing Terminal Amerigo Vespucci, significantly enhances passenger reception capacity and supports the continued growth of one of the world’s leading cruise hubs.
The Port continues to register strong year-on-year growth, with 3.4 million passengers and 841 cruise calls handled in 2024, increasing to a projected 3.5 million passengers and 866 calls in 2025. Since Roma Cruise Terminal began operating in 2007, nearly 42 million passengers have been welcomed through Civitavecchia.
The new facility features a modern check-in hall with 23 stations, expandable to 46, 30 real-time informational screens, a dedicated cruise bar, and interiors inspired by iconic sites of Rome and Civitavecchia. As part of the commitment to sustainability, the terminal is powered by photovoltaic panels and will host only electric or hybrid vehicles from next year, aligning with the broader electrification of the port’s cruise docks. The terminal’s development also supported local industry, involving 20 companies – half of which are based in Civitavecchia – contributing to the economic activity of the region.
The development also included substantial upgrades to the quayside: expansion of the quay from 9 to 22 metres, installation of heavy-capacity bollards, and new LAN infrastructure, designed to improve docking and manoeuvring operations and overall passenger experience. These enhancements reinforce Civitavecchia’s role as a key Mediterranean turnaround port and support the continued expansion of accommodation, transport and ancillary services serving cruise passengers each year.
The inauguration event was attended by top civic and port authorities, senior executives from Costa Crociere, MSC and Royal Caribbean, the Ambassador of Malta to Italy, RCT personnel and business partners, and other distinguished guests, as well as senior APS Bank management. CEO Marcel Cassar commented: “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, reflects the energy that is fuelling RCT’s growth. It is also testament to our capabilities in financing sustainable infrastructure that drives economic activity and enhances the travel experience.”
