Three Spanish ports, in the ‘top 10’ of containers in Europe

The Port Authorities of Valencia, Bahía de Algeciras and Barcelona have positioned themselves towards the end of the year, -the latest figures correspond to the month of November-, among the top ten in Europe, especially in the Mediterranean area, only behind of the great Atlantic of the continent, such as Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, and even, in the case of Valencia, which is the best positioned, ahead of the Greek port of Piraeus, with which it maintained a struggle until September to occupy the fourth place in the ranking.

According to the data offered by the specialized consultancies, Porteconomics and Alphaliner regarding container traffic (Teus) in European facilities, Valencia is in fourth position only behind the three large Atlantic ones already mentioned, consolidating itself as the main Mediterranean port. Rotterdam exceeds 14 million units; Antwerp 12 million and Hamburg moves around 9 million. Behind Valencia, with 5.16 million, is Piraeus, which does not reach that figure.

In sixth place is the Bay of Algeciras, which despite having a significant fall of 6.63%, affected by the problem of the pandemic that has decreased the traffic of the Strait, and movements from Asia, especially from China has moved 4.38 million TEU. And in ninth place in the ranking is Barcelona with 3.22 million units, but with a spectacular growth of 21.5%. Only ahead is Bremenhaven, above four million units, and the Italian Gioin Tauro practically on par. In tenth place are the French facilities at Le Havre.

Valencia, Barcelona and Bahía de Algeciras win in the traffic of Teus in the Mediterranean arc

The port of Valencia is, therefore, the one that is moving the highest container traffic throughout this year, closing the first 11 months of the year with a total of 5.16 million units, which represents an increase of 4 42%, compared to the same period in 2020. Of these, 2.65 million were in transit, with a negative impact of 4.53%. The improvement in its performance is given by the container traffic in the import-export performance, with a management of 2.30 million units, and an increase of 17.1%. The statistics referring to the total movement of Teus nationally and abroad, the sum of the 197,315 national entry and exit, with those from abroad, which stand at 2.5 million, show an increase of 15.98%.

According to information provided by the Valencian port authority itself, it is expected that the December traffic will close the year with figures above 5.42 million TEU, improving the situation of the prepandemic.

Regarding the merchandise that this port authority has managed in the first 11 months of the year in containers, it stands at 59.078 million tons, with an increase of 2.54%. While in the total of the management, the port of Valencia has moved 77.86 million tons, which represents a growth of 6.2% compared to 2020.

The Bay of Algeciras – affected more than the Mediterranean ports by traffic from Asia and the increase in freight rates, as well as by the clear competition from Tanger Med – has managed 4.38 million containers until November, with an annual fall of the 6.63%. Of these, 3.74 million did so in transit, where the decline was strongest, 8.28% compared to the same period of the previous year. Regarding the import-export movement, 654,111 units were managed, with a growth of 3.82% over the first 11 months of 2020. The movement of national entries and exits, together with those from abroad, totaled 654,346 units , given that in the first case only 235 containers are contemplated.

Regarding freight traffic, 53.87 million tons in containers have passed through the Bay of Algeciras, 10.56% less than in 2020; for a total of 96.082 million tons (-2.15%).

Barcelona, ​​the third Spanish port in container traffic among the top ten in Europe and fourth in the Mediterranean arc, is the one that has increased its management the most over Valencia and the Bay of Algeciras in percentage values, but not in volume. Until November, the Barcelona entity has received and issued a total of 3.22 million Teus, which is 21.50% more than in 2020, and 4.8% higher than in 2019, thus improving the prepandemic results. .

Barcelona keeps moving forward

Regarding the management of containers in transit, Barcelona continues to show significant growth, with 1.35 million units and an increase of 30.90%. The import and export management has reached a volume of 1.65 million Teus (+ 16.55%); and, in the total, national and foreign, they have exceeded 1.87 million (+ 15.51%), with 212,236 in national entries and exits.

By volume of merchandise, it has managed 34.17 million tons in containers, with an increase of 19.38% compared to the first 11 months of the previous year. And the total volume reaches 60.18 million tons, with an annual increase of 13.84%.

Until November, the 28 Port Authorities on which the 46 ports of public interest depend, have moved a total of 497.7 million tons, which represents an increase of 5.5% over the previous year’s data, and although They are 4.3% below the 2019 figures, from Puertos del Estado, it is expected to close the year in volumes close to the pre-Covid year, 2019.