Iberian ports' overall growth rate

flattened in 2019

ROTTERDAM, April 2nd, 2020 - The Iberian port system in 2019 moved a combined total of 651 million tons of cargo, 0,8 % less than in in 2018. As far as containers are concerned, Iberian ports last year handled a little more than 20 million TEUs together, the same amount as the year before.

Spanish ports of course accounted for the majority of combined throughput, with a total of 564,6 million tons of cargo in 2019: 0,19% more than in 2018. Portuguese ports on the other hand continued their downward trend and lost market share in 2019. Portugal’s continental ports shipped only 87 million tons of cargo last year, almost 6 million tons or 6,2% less than the previous year.  

Segments that did well in Spain were both general cargo (+2,49%) as well as liquid bulk (+3,55%), while automotive (-3,22%) and drybulk (especially coal) took some hits. The container segment grew marginally towards 17,46 million TEU, up 1,53% compared to 2018. In Spain, ro-ro shipping continued to grow towards 65 million tons handled last year, a plus of almost 4%.

Portugal ‘s slight downward trend can be explained by a variety of reasons. As in 2018 the country in 2019 imported less petroleum and coal, which brought about a fall in cargo throughput especially in the Port of Sines. The container sector also lost some ground in Portugal though (-8,9%) and decreased down to 2,7 million TEU. The ports of Leixões, Lisbon and Setúbal all did well in this segment and booked modest growth. The Port of Sines however registered a sharp drop of no less than -28,3% in transhipment of TEU.

In Portugal, like in Spain, ro-ro cargo continues to do well and the segment grew by 17,8%, reaching almost 1,9 million tons.

Last year’s results also lead to several changes in our yearly ranking of the Iberian Ports Top 20 (in tons handled). A table showing the new figures and ranking can be found below. For 2019 we have also started adding a table with Iberia’s Top 10 Container Ports (in millions of TEU).

Algeciras is still firmly the leader of the Top 20 and continues to grow, albeit modestly. The port last years handled more than 109 million tons, which means Algeciras firmly remains Europe’s fourth port in cargo throughput. Valencia is still in second place in Iberia and also booked moderate growth. The fast growth of neighbouring Castellón that was reported in 2018 (+18,02%), came to a stop last year (-1,97%).

The impressive growth of Barcelona in the past few years also came to a stop in 2019 and the port even recorded a small fall of -0,12% in cargo throughput. Sines remained in fourth place, though it lost 12,7% of cargo last year. Leixões moved up one place, overtaking Gijón, while Tenerife and Lisbon both moved up one place, overtaking Ferrol, the latter dropping two places on the list. The port of Santander managed to move up two spots, while Almería dropped two.

Among Iberia’s Top 10 Container Ports only Valencia, Algeciras, Leixões, Lisbon and Malaga recorded growth in TEU handled in 2019, while Barcelona, Sines, Bilbao, Las Palmas and Tenerife recorded losses.

For a more detailed analysis of the Iberian port system or info on individual port performance please contact us.