The first stone of the 40-metre-high structure, containing 18,500 cubic metres of concrete, was laid during the last, Socialist, government in March 2010. Since 2011, it has been receiving a growing number of cruise ships.


According to the director of marketing of the Administration of the Ports of Douro and Leixões (APDL), Helena Gomes Fernandes, this growth has been reflected in the direct and indirect creation of many jobs, above all services provided to the ships.


"We're talking about tour guides, coach drivers, the whole tourism offer that is provided here," she said, without providing figures. She also highlighted a partnership with the University of Porto that has made possible the creation of the Marine Science and Technology Park, whose headquarters is on the upper floors of the building, with some 200 researchers.


So far this year alone, the terminal has received 90 cruise ships, 12% more than all last year, with some 90,000 passengers and 45,000 crew. According to the APDL, the largest group, at 44%, are UK citizens, followed by Germans, at 16%, and US citizens, at 15%.


The spiral-shaped building, designed by architect Luís Pedro Silva, is covered with around one million white tiles made by leading Portuguese ceramic manufacturer Vista Alegre.