For the first time in its history, the port of Corfu has surpassed the one-million mark for cruise passengers, recording significant growth in both passenger traffic and cruise ship calls in the first ten months of 2026.
According to figures from the Corfu Port Authority (OLKE), total passenger traffic from January to October reached 1,003,242 passengers, compared with 845,745 in the same period of 2025, an increase of 18.62%.
Growth in transit traffic was a key factor in this performance, with passenger numbers up 25.16% to 813,540, from 649,987 in the same period last year.
By contrast, passenger embarkations and disembarkations (homeporting) remained relatively stable, with 94,480 passengers embarking and 95,222 disembarking during the ten-month period.
Cruise ship calls also increased, reaching 510, compared with 428 in the same period of 2025, a rise of 19.16%.
Activity was also strong in October, with passenger traffic reaching 148,282, up from 136,396 in the same month a year earlier, an increase of 8.71%. Cruise ship calls totalled 83, compared with 70 in October 2025.
New investment in infrastructure
Rising traffic is creating additional needs to upgrade port facilities and serve passengers and ships more efficiently.
As part of this effort, OLKE is advancing plans for major projects, including a new cruise passenger terminal and a new passenger terminal for non-Schengen traffic to serve the ferry link between Corfu and Albania.
Meanwhile, the Port Authority’s development plan covers the 37 ports within its remit, with projects to upgrade infrastructure, carry out dredging and develop port facilities and marinas.
€1.6 million in revenue from the cruise levy
Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gikas highlighted the economic significance of the increase in activity, noting that surpassing one million passengers means more business for local companies and for the hospitality, transport and tourism sectors.
He said revenue from the cruise levy is expected to approach €1.6 million this year, generating additional resources that can be used to improve local infrastructure.
For his part, OLKE chief executive Dimitris Apergis described surpassing one million passengers as a significant record for the port, adding that the next challenge is to make the most of increased traffic through investment in modern infrastructure and upgraded services.
“Our aim is for growth to translate into long-term value for Corfu, the local economy and all the areas we serve,” he said.
Source: ANA-MPA