PORTS

The province of Cadiz has two first class port infrastructures at national and international levels, the Port of the Bay of Cadiz and the Port of the Bay of Algeciras

Port of Cadiz

The existence of port activity in the Bay of Cadiz dates back to 1104 BC. The Port of Cadiz is today much more than that gateway to the sea. It is a vital economic engine for the province and plays a key role in regional economic development and trade.

Cadiz, Puerto Real and El Puerto de Santa Maria are the three municipalities in which the four commercial docks and the two fishing ports that depend on the Port Authority are located and which are complemented by shipbuilding, off-shore and aeronautical repair and construction centers, as well as nautical-sports complexes.

Due to its geographical position, between the two major maritime traffic flows Europe-Africa and America-Mediterranean, the Port of the Bay of Cadiz has positioned itself, as stated on its official website, as the southern gateway to Europe and gateway to three continents. 

Connected by land through road and rail access and only twenty-five minutes from Jerez airport and fifty minutes from Seville airport, the port infrastructures of the Bay of Cadiz offer very good conditions in terms of connectivity.

Photo Zona Franca de Cádiz

The offer is completed with a Free Trade Zone fiscal precinct, a Maritime Passenger Station, a Border Inspection Post, a Traffic Control Center and an Integrated Communications Center, among other infrastructures and services.

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Today, the Port of Cadiz is a modern and versatile port, capable of accommodating all types of maritime traffic, from cruise ships to large cargo vessels. It also has specialized facilities for container, solid and liquid bulk traffic, which makes it a multipurpose and strategic port in the region.

A noteworthy aspect is cruise tourism. The Port of Cadiz is one of the most attractive destinations for cruise companies, thanks to its strategic location and nearby tourist attractions, such as the capital itself, with the port located in the historic center. The arrival of cruise ships brings with it a constant flow of tourists that boost the local economy through spending in hotels, restaurants, stores and tourist services.

In addition, the Port of Cadiz also contributes to the development of the naval industry in the province. The presence of the Astilleros de Navantia and companies related to shipbuilding and ship repair generate specialized employment and stimulate the local economy as the port becomes a hub for the construction and maintenance of vessels, both for commercial use and for the fishing sector.

The new container terminal will be the focus of the port agency’s investment efforts in the coming years.

New container terminal

Phase two of the new container terminal is the largest investment effort, with 15 million euros that year, out of a total investment of 47 million euros to be developed in three years.

Significant amounts have also been accrued in 2023 for environmental sustainability and energy, such as the integral plan for the supply and sanitation network and photovoltaic installations in various buildings in Cadiz. Projects that are financed entirely with NextGeneration-EU funds under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM). Also with European funding, the first phase of the rail access to the new container terminal will be developed starting next year, with 6.7 million euros between 2023 and 2024.

Photo Cabezuela train works

In environmental sustainability, it will invest one million euros in 2023 in the OPS (On-shore Power Supply) connection, aimed at supplying energy to ships at the Alfonso XIII dock, in the commercial dock.

In the coming years, especially from 2023 onwards, almost 11 million euros of investment in port-city integration are envisaged, highlighting the interventions in the Ciudad and Reina Sofía docks in Cádiz.

Port of Algeciras

Aerial videos Port

The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) manages the ports of Algeciras manages the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa.

The port of Algeciras is one of the most important and strategic ports in Europe, and the first in Spain. It is a real economic engine for the province of Cádiz. Its importance lies in its privileged geographical location, its state-of-the-art facilities and its fundamental role in international trade.

Located in the Strait of Gibraltar, it is strategically positioned at the crossroads of maritime routes between Europe, Africa and America. This privileged location allows it to connect to more than 200 ports around the world and to be a crucial entry and exit point for international trade. In addition, its proximity to important markets such as North Africa and Latin America makes it a strategic enclave for commercial exchange.

In terms of infrastructure, the Port of Algeciras has state-of-the-art facilities that will make it one of the most modern and efficient European ports. It has specialized terminals for containers, liquid and solid bulk, roll-on/roll-off cargo and passengers, which allows it to serve a wide variety of traffic and adapt to the needs of different industries. In addition, significant investments have been made in technology and logistics to improve efficiency and speed in port operations.

Data

The Port of Algeciras closed last year 2022 with a total traffic of 108.2 million tons, which was 3% more than in the previous year. This is the seventh consecutive year in which the dock’s activity has surpassed the 100 million ton barrier.

The total traffic consolidates Algeciras as the fourth port in Europe behind Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg. At the same time, it remains the first in the Mediterranean and in Spain in terms of volume of goods.

Another highlight of the balance sheet is the growth in ro-ro traffic with Morocco, which grew to 432,206 trailers, 10% more than in 2021. The number of containers in rail traffic grew by 60% to 57,000 units.

On the other hand, the importance of the train in the transport of goods has become latent during the past year. The number of trains exceeded 1,000, reaching 1,163 (+21.7%) with an increase of more than 50% in net tons to 299.9. This meant eliminating more than 29,000 trucks from road traffic.

Passenger traffic also returned to the limelight with a strong recovery thanks to the return of Operation Crossing the Strait and a growth of 234% with 4.3 million people, returning to levels similar to the years prior to the pandemic. In addition, almost one million vehicles were shipped.

One of the main challenges for this year for the port of Algeciras is the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) initiative, which taxes the polluting emissions of ships.

Public Agency of Andalusian Ports

The Public Agency of Andalusian Ports is a public law entity attached to the Regional Ministry of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy, competent for the development and application of the port policy and the policy related to the areas of goods transport of the Andalusian Regional Government.

It was initially created as Empresa Pública de Puertos de Andalucía. It was not until 2001 that Law 5/2001, of 4 June 2001, regulated the areas of freight transport in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, contemplating the extension of the corporate purpose of this entity to the management of the aforementioned areas.

The Public Agency of Andalusian Ports is attributed with the competences of the Autonomous Community in matters of ports, and with these bodies it constitutes the Administration of the Andalusian Port System.

The objectives of the Agency are:

·The organisation and management of ports, port facilities and services, including the public domain.
·The development, execution and planning of the port policy of the Regional Government of Andalusia, with regard to projects, construction and operation of port works and services.
·The provision of port services, in the best conditions of efficiency and safety.
·The development of the port area, within the corresponding urban and territorial planning framework.
·The optimisation of the economic and financial management of all the ports of Andalusia and the profitability of the assigned assets.
·The promotion of activities related to port traffic.
·The study, training and promotion of research in matters related to the economy, activity and port works.
·Coordination and liaison of maritime and land transport in Andalusian ports.
·Cooperation with the administrations, corporations and private entities whose competence or activity has an impact on ports or is of interest for a better management of the port system.

Other Ports: fishing and/or marinas

In the province of Cadiz, the fishing tradition merges with nautical tourism to create a rich and varied port scene. The province’s ports, whether dedicated to fishing or leisure, play an essential role in the economic life of the region.

Fishing Ports: Conil de la Frontera and Barbate

The fishing ports of Conil de la Frontera and Barbate are vital to the province’s fishing industry. These ports are home to an active fishing fleet working both in local waters and on the high seas. The seafood caught in these areas, such as bluefin tuna, is highly valued both nationally and internationally. In addition, these ports are the base of operations for numerous companies dedicated to the processing and commercialisation of fresh seafood products.

Marinas: Puerto Sherry and Sotogrande

Cadiz is not only known for its fishing, but also for its attractive nautical tourism. Puerto Sherry, in the Bay of Cadiz, is one of the emblematic destinations for lovers of sailing and luxury, offering first class facilities for recreational sailing and hosting international sailing regattas.

Puerto Sotogrande is the most exclusive nautical sports tourism enclave in southern Spain, with a total of 1,382 moorings at the meeting point of seas, countries and continents. Located at a crossroads of cultures on the Costa del Sol and bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Port of Sotogrande greets the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean every morning.