Spain’s ports of general interest handled over 511 million tonnes of cargo during the first eleven months of 2025, reflecting a slight year-on-year decline of 0.4%, according to provisional data released by Puertos del Estado. Despite the marginal drop, port authorities highlighted signs of a gradual recovery following a late-summer slowdown, supported by stability in key cargo segments and improving passenger traffic.
Mixed Cargo Performance Across Key Segments
General cargo traffic edged up 0.3% to 257.4 million tonnes, driven primarily by a 3.9% rise in conventional general cargo, which reached 81.9 million tonnes. In contrast, containerised cargo by weight fell 1.3% to 175.5 million tonnes.
However, container throughput measured in TEUs rose 3.1% year on year to 17.2 million units, underpinned by a strong 9% increase in import–export volumes, even as transhipment traffic slipped 0.5%.
Liquid bulk traffic also recorded modest growth, increasing 0.3% to 164.6 million tonnes, supported by recovering flows of gasoline, natural gas and chemical products. Meanwhile, dry bulk volumes declined 3.5% to 75.2 million tonnes, reflecting softer demand in this segment.
Vessel Calls, Ro-Ro and Passenger Traffic Trends
Ro-ro cargo continued its upward trend, rising 2.9% to 69.1 million tonnes, highlighting resilient short-sea and rolling cargo operations. While merchant vessel calls decreased 2.3% to 150,709, overall gross tonnage increased 0.8%, suggesting a shift toward larger vessels.
Passenger traffic showed notable strength, increasing 4.1% year on year to nearly 40 million movements between January and November, reinforcing the recovery of cruise and ferry activity.
Regionally, Andalusian ports handled 142.5 million tonnes, down 1.2%, with Algeciras Spain’s largest port recording a 3.5% decline to 92 million tonnes.
While Spain’s ports experienced a marginal decline in overall cargo volumes in 2025, the data points to stabilisation and early recovery, particularly in general cargo, liquid bulk, ro-ro traffic and passenger movements. Rising import–export container volumes and stronger passenger numbers suggest improving momentum, positioning Spanish ports for a more robust performance as trade and energy flows continue to normalise.
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Source: PORT NEWS
