Barcelona Port traffic up 3.5% despite complex geopolitical context, but exports fewer containers

The Port of Barcelona closed the first half of 2026 with a 3.5% increase in traffic compared to the same period last year.

In the first six months of the year, a total of 35.87 million tons of goods were moved, but 10.1% fewer containers were exported, as a result of the swine fever and the complex geopolitical situation around the globe.

At a press conference to present the traffic results for the first half of 2026, port president José Alberto Carbonell celebrated that the technical studies support the radioelectric compatibility for the expansion of the port and the airport.

Thus, it has been confirmed that the development of the southern area of ​​the port is “compatible” with the current and future operations of Barcelona airport.

In the first half of 2026, container traffic at the Port of Barcelona reached 1.93 million TEU, with an increase of 4.3% compared to 2025.

However, exports of full containers have fallen by 10.1% and imports have experienced a notable increase of 6.7% to 380,000 TEU.

There were also increases in bulk liquids by 4.1%, bulk solids by 5.1%, vehicles by 6.5%, and ro-ro traffic by 2.8%.

Ship calls fell from 3,999 in 2025 to 3,974 in 2026, and rail traffic on the Iberian gauge fell by almost 18% as a result of the closure of the Gelida tunnel.