Valencia struggles to retain transhipment

In 2013, transhipment traffic in the Mediterranean grew by an average of 6%, which was double that of the rest of the world. The only transhipment hub in the Mediterranean not to grow was Valencia, where port and union officials are locked in negotiations to implement radical changes proposed as part of a new collective bargaining agreement.

Transhipment traffic at Spanish ports generally also gives cause for concern. In January, overall transhipment amounted to 605,765 teu. Although this represents growth of 0.43% compared with January 2013, this encompasses major differences between ports.

Algeciras, with 338,889 teu, posted growth of 12.7%, while Malaga handled 25,233 teu, compared with just 5,712 teu in January 2013. In contrast, at Barcelona, transhipped boxes fell 34.18% to 19,743 teu, while Las Palmas saw a 26.68% decline to 40,875 teu.

The situation at Valencia continues to get worse, falling a further 14.71% in January to 172,890 teu.