Vehicle traffic through Port de Barcelona grew by 19%
More than 723,500 vehicles were transported through Port de Barcelona during the first ten months of the year, 19% more than in the same period last year. Most of them, 374,554, were exports, although what grew the most from January to September were vehicle imports (+41%). Freight traffic during the first ten months of the year was 3% higher than in the same period last year, reaching 1.6 TEU, the transport unit which is equal to a 20-foot container. Goods exports were higher than imports and China and the USA topped the ranking of destination markets. Finally, from January to October Port de Barcelona received 3.3 million passengers, which is 6% more than the same period last year. 2.2 million of these were cruise liner passengers.
Barcelona (CNA).- Port de Barcelona's vehicle traffic from January to October was 19% higher than in the same period last year. More than 723,500 vehicles were transported during the first ten months of the year. Although most of them were exported, imports registered a 41% growth in comparison to the same period last year. Freight traffic from January to October increased by 3%, reaching 1.6 TEU.Imports grew by 8.5%, reaching 402,209 TEU and the main market of origin was South Korea. Exports were also 7% higher compared to the same period last year and China and the USA topped the ranking of destination markets. Finally, Port de Barcelona received 3.3 million passengers from January to October, which is 6% more than the same period last year. 2.2 million of these were cruise liner passengers.
Most of the vehicles transported through Port de Barcelona correspond to foreign trade (exports, imports and transfers). Although imports registered the highest growth, a 41% increase in comparison to the same period last year, exports still represent the biggest part of the vehicle transportation, 374,554 out of the 723,500 vehicles registered.
The success of Short Sea Shipping (SSS)
The number of containers, one of Barcelona Port’s strategic cargoes, grew by 3% during the first ten months of the year and totalled 1.6 million TEU. Exports were again higher than imports, totalling 543,614 TEU. This trend was spurred by the excellent results of the Short Sea Shipping (SSS) which connect the Catalan capital and Italian destinations, in particular Genoa, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Savona and Porto Torres. Besides this, the foreign markets which grew the most during the first ten months of the year were China and the USA (+26%). Imports reached 402,209 TEU from January to October, representing an 8.5% increase in comparison to the same period last year. South Korea was by far the market of origin which grew the most (+64%), followed by India (+13%) and China (12%).
In the ten months to the end of October, Port de Barcelona managed 9.6 million tons of liquid cargo, especially hydrocarbons. Amongst them, petrol registered one of the highest growths, 35% in comparison to the same period last year.
A point of reference for cruisers
The Catalan capital continues to be a reference point in terms of cruisers and saw 655 cruise ships from January to October. During the first ten months of the year Port de Barcelona received 3.3 million passengers and 2.2 million of these were cruise liner passengers, 6% more than in the same period last year. The increase in ferry frequency between the port and the Balearic Islands also led to a 7% growth in this sector, with 652,487 passengers being registered.
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