Port of Barcelona sees strong trade growth

The Port of Barcelona reported solid growth in container traffic and accelerated infrastructure investments during the first half of 2025.

Double-Digit Growth in External Trade

Export and import container traffic rose 10% compared to the same period last year. Full exports hit 365,062 TEUs, up 8%. Imports climbed 12% to 356,399 TEUs, bringing the total to 721,461 TEUs. Strong performance in key markets like Asia and high-demand products such as pork and alfalfa helped drive the increase.

Port General Manager Àlex Garcia credited the rise to resilient demand and strong activity from regional exporters.

Revenue Climbs on Cargo Growth

Port turnover reached €101 million, up 4% year-on-year. Export and import containers alone contributed €1 million to the increase.

Liquid bulk surged 22.1%, totaling 8.25 million tonnes. This was mainly due to rising gasoline and LNG volumes. Dry bulk fell sharply by 21.9%, hurt by strong harvests and a temporary shutdown at the Elian terminal.

Vehicle traffic dropped 6.5% to 362,951 units. But imports and domestic shipping (cabotage) both rose, up 7% and 11%, respectively. ITUs remained steady at 218,237 units.

Mixed Results in Passenger Traffic

Ferry passengers dipped slightly to 652,782 (-1.4%). Cruise passenger traffic, on the other hand, jumped 15.7%, reaching 1.69 million. That’s one million visitors to the city, an increase of nearly 13%.

€314 Million in Investments Already Tendered

The port has already tendered out 95% of its planned 2025 investments. That’s €314.5 million of the €332.5 million budget. Major works include:

Phase 1 of Catalunya wharf: €72.3 million awarded
Phase 4 of Adossat wharf (future ferry terminal): €54.7 million awarded
Cruise Terminal G infrastructure: tendered at €6 million
New berths for liquid bulk: €124 million out to tender
OPS system for MSC Cruises: €12.2 million awarded
Nou Llobregat rail access (Phase 1): €18 million greenlit

Only one key project remains. A €16 million tender for new medium-voltage electrical lines is expected in September.

Push Toward Decarbonisation

Port President José Alberto Carbonell emphasized green initiatives. OPS systems for ferries at Sant Bertran Wharf are now in service. Work has started on OPS for MSC Cruises as well.

The port’s first Energy Transition Plan has been approved and will launch soon. The goal: a carbon-zero future.

Other Highlights

The port opened new public spaces at the Fisherman’s and Barcelona North wharves.
Over 15,000 people attended this year’s Open Day.
Japanese company NYK was awarded the third vehicle terminal. It will feature Europe’s first fully-automated vehicle silo and a solar system producing over 3,200 MWh annually.

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