Traffic in Barcelona’s Port increased by almost 10% in March

Barcelona (CNA)-. Container traffic at the Port of Barcelona increased by 8% this March, reaching 493,000 TEUs (one TEU = one 20ft container). Container cargo coastal trade is also on the rise (+12.5%), contributing to total traffic of 11.1 million tons of merchandise registered in the first trimester of 2016. Liquid merchandise in bulk has seen a rise of 6% compared to the same period in 2016, consisting of 2.8 million tons, particularly hydrocarbons (+18.5%), and in particular gasoline (+129%). Meanwhile, Barcelona El Prat airport saw an increase in passengers in the first trimester of 2016, registered at +16.1% (8.5 million people) in comparison to the same period in 2015, with some 3.3 million passengers passing through the airport in March alone. Additionally, cargo handled also increased in the month of March 2016, growing by 13.1% in relation to March of 2015. The Girona-Costa Brava airport, situated in the North-East of Catalonia, has seen its second consecutive month of growth, marked by an increase of 10.1% compared to March of 2015. 

Container traffic in the Port of Barcelona increased to 493,000 TEUs (one TEU equals one 20ft container) during the first trimester of the year, 8% more than during the same period of the previous year. In foreign trade, an increase of 8% was also registered while imports saw a growth of 6%. Moreover, container cargo coastal trade, connecting Barcelona with the Balearic and Canary Islands, has increased by 12.5%. As regards total traffic, 11.1 million tons of merchandise was registered between January and March, which is 5% more than the same period in 2015. According to the Port of Barcelona, all traffic indicators used by the port facility (such as liquid and solid bulk products, vehicles and passengers) have registered in the positive.

As regards liquid merchandise in bulk, the Port of Barcelona transported a total of 2.8 million tons during the three first months of the year, 6% more than the same period in 2015. The increase has been especially positive concerning hydrocarbons, which grew by 18.5%, registering 2.2 million tons of merchandise handled. This shows the momentum also shown in gasoline, the traffic of which augmented by 129%, reaching 750,000 tons of product transported. The traffic of natural gas and chemical products also increased by 9% in the three months leading up to the month of March. 

Meanwhile, solid merchandise in bulk is also on the rise and, with a 4% increase, reached 968,000 tons of merchandise handled, within which cement and clinker (+10%) and flour (+55%) stand out.

As regards vehicular traffic, up to the month of March the terminals of the port of the Catalan capital had transported 208,364 units in total (+2%). The aforementioned segment highlights the force shown in imports, which have grown by 13%, and additionally that of automobile traffic destined for the Balearic and Canary Islands, with an increase of 45%.

The movement of passengers has also registered in the positive during the first trimester of 2016, as a total 420,624 passengers passed through the port facility, showing an increase of 12%. Of the total number of passengers, 164,579 people utilised the ferry linking Barcelona to the Balearic Islands, Italy, or North Africa. The volume of cruisers grew by 10% and served 256,045 people (+89%). In this sector, what is most notable is the remarkable number of round trip passengers (those that begin and end their itinerary in Barcelona), which bring an important economic contribution to the city.

More passengers used Barcelona El Prat airport’s facilities

The number of passengers at Barcelona El Prat airport increased by 16.1% during the first trimester, compared to the first three months of 2015, registering 8.5 million passengers, according to airport operating company Aena. Only looking at the month of March, 3.3 million passengers were registered, representing an increase of 14.1% compared with the same month in 2015. Of the total passengers registered in this month, 2.3 million travellers flew internationally, which is 13.6% more compared with March of last year, while 971,929 users were registered on domestic flights, which is also an increase, of 15.5%. Within intercontinental routes, the highest increase was produced through flights to and from Latin America and the Caribbean, registering an increase of 24.4%, the Middle East (+14%), North America (+10%) and Africa (+9.1%).

Meanwhile, the amount of cargo handled is also increasing. Last month, 11,506 tons of merchandise were transported, which represents a growth of 13.1% compared with the same month in 2015. Cargo with domestic origin/destination has increased by 26.9% while international cargo augmented by 12.4% compared with the data registered in March of 2015. In the first trimester of the year, Barcelona El Prat airport totalled 31,131 tons of merchandise, which represents an increase of 16.5% compared with the first trimester of 2015.

Girona-Costa Brava airport registered its second consecutive month of growth

Also according to data provided by Aena, the Girona-Costa Brava airport (in the North-East of Catalonia) is also celebrating its second consecutive month of growth in number of passengers. In the month of March, 76,810 total passengers came through the airport situated in the village of Vilobí d'Onyar, representing a 10.1% increase compared with March of 2015. In February of this year, the airport had already registered an increase of 6.6%, recovering from 27 consecutive months of decline. When looking at the trimester of January to March, there is also a registered growth in relation to last year, with 175,778 total passengers registered in 2016 (as opposed to 167,612 in 2015). This shows an increase of 4.9%. Within this, Ryanair maintains its monopoly, having transported 95.9% of the passengers (168,509 people), as it was the sole operating company at the airport during the winter months.

However, there is a slight registered decrease in operations, registered at a total of 1,110 take-offs and landings, representing 3.4% less than March of 2015. As regards merchandise, 3,160kgs were transported, showing a decrease of 4.9% compared with last year.

Reus airport marks an increase as well

The airport situated in Reus, a province in Tarragona, has gained footing again this March as the number of passengers passing through the facility has increased compared to the same month in 2015. Specifically, 11,153 people came through the airport in March of 2016, a number which represents 6.1% more than March of 2015, according to data provided by Aena. Operations also increased by 10% with a total of 757, which however marks a decrease from the previous month. So far, 32,800 people have arrived or left from the Reus airport in the first trimester of 2016, marking a 2.1% increase on the same trimester in 2015. Within this three-month span, operations also increased by 2,403, 15.4% more than the first trimester of 2015.