Cargo Traffic up at Port of Algeciras Bay

Cut TCA 2 feb.04 The Port of Algeciras Bay handled a total Cargo Throughput volume of 60.8 million tonnes (+ 10.06%) in 2003 – double the figure of a decade ago. As for the evolution of the various traffic-types in the Port of Algeciras Bay, the increase in Container throughput (+12.61%) is especially evident, breaking through the 2.5-million-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) barrier and, in this case, trebling the figures recorded a decade ago. Import and export container throughput grew extraordinarily by 39% and 31% respectively. Containerised cargoes almost reached 30 million tonnes and last June witnessed record figures, with 240,000 TEUs handled on Juan Carlos I Quay – the greatest ever activity ever registered anywhere in our port. The previous figures only reflect the fact that the Bay of Algeciras is both the Spanish port with the greatest growth and also retains its title as Spain’s number one.

After containerized cargo, the next traffic-type by volume is Liquid Bulks. For the first time, throughput returned over 21 million tonnes (+ 10%). Bunkering – another traffic type led nationally by the Port of Algeciras Bay – has returned a slight increase (+ 4%) over the previous year. The other side of the coin was witnessed in Solid Bulks, decreasing slightly because of a technical maintenance shutdown at the power station during the year.

Traffic in the Straits returned figures of 4.5 million Passengers (+ 2%) and 1.1 million Vehicles (+ 4%). The Port of Tarifa’s sudden growth deserves a special mention here, both because of its classification as an EU Schengen Frontier point and also because of its spectacular returns of 169,935 passengers (+ 125.29%) and 24,355 vehicles (+168.73%) on a route that links Europe with Morocco daily in a record time: 30 minutes. HGV throughput between Algeciras and Ceuta and Tangiers broke through 160,000 vehicles in 2004.

New Public Container Terminal

In February, the Port of Algeciras Bay has just opened its new public container terminal – TCA (Terminal de Contenedores de Algeciras) – located on Isla Verde Quay and equipped at the moment with 2 Krone Super Post-Panamax cranes and 4 Paceco transtainers. TCA’s Chairman, Trasmediterránea’s Chairman and the Executive VP of Acciona’s Logistics & Airport Service Division, Mr. Juan Sáez Elegido, highlighted TCA’s significant investment in Algeciras, due – among other things – to “its unbeatable geographic location”. The terminal has an operating capacity to handle more than half-a-million TEUs and in its maiden year Mr. Sáez Elegido pointed to an activity of around 120,000 to 13,000 TEUs.

Zero Deviation is TCA terminal’s motto, because, apart from supplying the Campo de Gibraltar’s important petrochemical complex and channelling more than half of Andalusia’s exports, the Port of Algeciras Bay can supply the quickest transit times in Southern Europe. This is made possible by its perfect geographical location on the Straits of Gibraltar and on the North-South and East-West axes, added to a swift output to inland markets thanks to a daily link to Madrid Dry Port logistics platform and the opening of new motorways.

The Acciona, S.A. and TCB Group (Barcelona Container Terminal) companies have an 80% and 20% share of TCA respectively.