Container traffic in Barcelona port until September up some 13.5%

The number of containers moved at the Port of Barcelona in the first nine months of 2018 surpassed 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), representing an increase of 13.5% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, transfers (the loading and unloading of units) become more relevant again with a growth of 32%.

In the period from January to September, traffic in the Port of Barcelona gathered 51.1 million tons of merchandise, some 12.3% more than last year. The port highlights this figure not only due to an improvement in the movement of containers, but also activity such as bulk liquids and sea lanes.

Port of Barcelona activity is becoming increasingly international as shown in figures of growth in various worldwide markets such as that of Algeria (47% more), the United States (15% more), India (6.6% more), Mexico (12.5% more), Vietnam (26% more) and Egypt (15% more).

As per passengers who passed through the port in the nine-month period, the number went up by 8.7% reaching 3.5 million. This includes regular ferry users, which came out to 1.2 million people. Meanwhile, cruise ship passengers made up 2.3 million people of the total.