Spain’s ports experience a surge in freight traffic amid ongoing Red Sea crisis

In January, Spain’s main ports saw a significant increase in the volume of goods being transported, with some ports experiencing up to a 25% rise. This surge in traffic was due to companies rerouting their shipments to avoid the Red Sea, where attacks on shipping were occurring. Additionally, there was a threefold increase in transit volumes in Spain’s northern ports as traders sought to avoid European land transportation blockades by farmers.

Ports such as Las Palmas and Barcelona recorded notable spikes in the volume of goods, with a 25.4% and 7.6% increase respectively. Overall, total goods traffic to Spanish ports, including liquid and dry bulk cargo, rose by 3.4% in January compared to a decline the previous year. This increase in traffic could be linked to the Red Sea crisis, according to the state port authority.

The expansion of a container terminal in Santander also contributed to the rise in transit goods volumes in northern Spanish ports. Some operators in the port have received inquiries and requests to ship goods to the UK in recent weeks. The state port authority is closely monitoring the situation and expects a more precise assessment of the impact in the coming months.

Source .