NYK wins Barcelona car terminal deal

NYK, one of the world’s largest shipping companies and second globally in car carrier fleet size, will invest €75 million in the project, marking the largest Japanese investment ever in a Spanish port.

The project aims to respond to the growing demand for new vehicle traffic, especially electric vehicles from the Far East, with an expected annual throughput of 180,000 vehicles by 2028.

“NYK’s bid fits perfectly with our objectives,” said José Alberto Carbonell, president of the Port of Barcelona. “It consolidates our role as a logistics hub for vehicles, while aligning with our sustainability and intermodality goals.”

The new terminal, covering 101,058 m², is set to open in early 2027 and will include a fully automated silo capable of storing 8,160 vehicles.

It will be operated entirely with electric vehicles and handling equipment and will feature a rooftop photovoltaic installation generating 3,211 MWh annually.

Located next to a railway terminal supporting all three rail gauges and capable of handling up to 10 trains per week, the site reinforces the port’s commitment to intermodal logistics.

NYK’s partnership with United European Car Carriers, in which it holds a 50% stake, will further boost Barcelona’s position as a strategic hub for vehicle distribution across Europe, the Mediterranean, north Africa and Turkey.