Maritime hub Valenciaport continues to witness impressive growth in rail transport, as indicated by the latest statistics.
During the first four months of this year, the Valencian docks saw a substantial increase in rail activity, with 8,744 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) entering and leaving the port, resulting in the movement of approximately 141,000 tonnes. This represents a notable 15% surge compared to the corresponding period last year.
However, amidst ongoing uncertainty in international markets, container traffic at Valenciaport experienced a decline. In April, the port handled 401,253 units, reflecting a significant 17% decrease compared to the same month in 2022.
One sector that demonstrated remarkable growth during the January-April period was the automobile industry, including its parts, which experienced a remarkable increase of 22.32%. This surge amounted to 703,461 tonnes, representing a rise of 128,358 tonnes. Notably, the first four months of this year witnessed the movement of nearly 13,000 more vehicles compared to the same period in the previous year.
Following the automotive sector, fertilisers experienced a growth rate of 10.6%, while the energy sector observed a modest increase of 3.45%. These sectors contributed significantly to the overall surge in activity at Valenciaport.
China remains Valenciaport’s primary trading partner, closely trailed by the United States. However, the most substantial growth in traffic was observed in trade relations with Mexico (+22.3%), Egypt (+22%), India (+18.1%), and Senegal (+17.6%). These nations exhibited promising growth in their trade connections with Valenciaport, contributing to the port’s overall positive performance.
Unfortunately, international trade is still grappling with instability caused by various factors, including the complexities surrounding the war in Ukraine and growing inflation. Furthermore, significant imbalances in trade flows across different regions of the world continue to impact the global economy. These challenges are reflected in Valenciaport’s April Statistical Bulletin for the first four months of 2023.
An analysis of the data revealed an 11.94% decline in the volume of containers handled between January and April, amounting to 1,516,635 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). However, other segments demonstrated positive growth, such as liquid bulk (+2.63%), the number of ships (+3.94%), and passenger traffic (+7.82%).
The success of measures endorsed by the Port Authority of Valencia (APV) to promote rail transport is evident in the substantial growth of goods handled via train during the first four months of this year. Tonnes transported by rail experienced a 15% increase (141,389 tonnes), while container volume surged by 13.3% (8,744 TEUs).
Furthermore, the movement of automobiles at the docks of Valencia and Sagunto witnessed a sustained increase. Between January and April, a total of 211,846 units were handled, representing a 6.47% growth compared to the same period in the previous year. The automobile and parts sector, in particular, expanded by 22.32% during the first four months, reaching 703,461 units, an increase of 128,358 units.
Among the various sectors at Valenciaport, fertilisers exhibited notable growth, amounting to 254,938 tonnes (+10.6%). The energy sector also witnessed positive momentum, with a total of 1.6 million tonnes moved, reflecting a growth rate of 3.