The Port of Barcelona achieved record results in 2018 across all main traffic indicators, solidifying its position as a key facilitator of export activity.
During the financial year 2018, Barcelona handled 67.7 million tonnes of cargo, representing a 10% increase on the port’s total volume for 2017.
According to a statement, the record-breaking volumes were largely driven by a 15% year-on-year increase in container traffic, Barcelona moving 3.4 million TEU during 2018.
Read a Port Technology technical paper by Olaf Merk, International Transport Forum, to understand demand-driven port development
This rise in container volume underlines Barcelona’s status as the fastest growing port in Europe, as it comes on top of a 32.5% increase already achieved during 2017.
The results also confirm an increase in intermodality, with the significant growth marked in rail transport helping to boost sustainability of the logistics chains passing through the Port of Barcelona.
China has consolidated its role as Barcelona’s main trading partner, with 25% of the containers passing through the port either beginning or ending their journey in the Far East.
��️ @mconesapages: “The priority aim of the next financial years will be to foster sustainability of port activity, promoting LNG and zero-emission fuels and analysing the generation of clean energy at #PortofBarcelona”.
— Port of Barcelona (@portofbarcelona) February 4, 2019
“Motorways of the Sea”, regular lines connecting Barcelona with various destinations in Italy and North Africa, progressed in 2018 as well, diverting approximately 150,000 trucks from the road to the “maritime mode”, a more sustainable option.
In economic terms, the port achieved a net turnover of nearly US$198 million, up 4% from the previous year.
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