A Spanish port has stressed that "a new governance model” that enables ports in Spain to be on the same economic playing field as other ports in Europe is a priority.

Mercè Conesa, president of the Port of Barcelona, asked Puertos del Estado to speed up approval of the new Strategic Framework of the Port System which they are preparing, because this tool is "fundamental to our ability to continue creating prosperity", which is the great challenge facing ports.

Ms Conesa pointed out that we need "a new governance model that will allow us to have the same tools as other European ports."

Key objectives

She acknowledged that "creating prosperity is more easily said than done but, in the port’s opinion there are a number of premises that will be essential for the future", such as: a fast and efficient connection with the hinterland to respond to the needs of the logistics chain; addressing energy transition; facing up to digital transition as a disruptive element of service improvement; and "working in consensus with the Port Community and in harmony with the area in which we are located".

In accordance with this, the Port of Barcelona is working to create its new rail and road land accesses "which are so long overdue", and has launched the process for the electrification of wharves, the introduction of renewable energy and the use of environmentally-friendly fuels, apart from working in the field of digitalisation to become a smart port.