The Port of Barcelona increased its traffic by 5,8% through April, driven by liquid bulk cargo and vehicles

 

The traffic of goods in the Port de Barcelona has registered remarkable growth of 5,8 % during the first four months of 2026, consolidating an upward trend with a total of 23,87 billion tons mobilized. According to data published by the port authority, this boost is mainly due to the excellent performance of liquid bulk cargo and vehicle traffic, which compensate for the slowdown in other segments.

 

Detailed analysis by type of merchandise

 

The segment of liquid bulk It consolidates its position as the main engine of growth for the port, exceeding 6 million tons with an increase of 23,7 %Within this category, two key products for the industry stand out:

 

• The Chemicalswhich have totaled 1,7 million tons, experiencing a spectacular increase in 52,1 %.
• El gas natural, whose traffic has grown a 44,2 %, reflecting the dynamics of the energy market.

 

Furthermore, the bulk solids They have moderated their decline compared to previous months, registering a decrease of -4%Despite this overall figure, certain products show very positive performance, such as potash (+24,9%), common salt (+21,7%), soybeans (+11,8%) and cement and clinker (+5,7%).

 

Traffic Summary Table (January-April 2026)

 

Traffic Type	Variation (vs. 2025)	Key Data
Total Freight Traffic	+ 5,8 %	23.875.715 tonnes
Liquid Bulks	+ 23,7 %	More than 6 million tons
Solid Bulks	-4,0%	It moderates its retreat
Containers (TEUs)	+ 2,7 %	1,267 million TEUs
Exports (Full container)	-13,6%	It reflects a challenge for the export sector
Vehicles	+ 7,0 %	244.853 units
Cruise ship passengers (April only)	-16,1%	337.317 passengers

 

Container traffic behavior and key markets

 

Container traffic, a key barometer of the economy hinterland, has reached 1,267 million TEUs, which represents an increase in 2,7 %However, the analysis of the full containers reveals a disparate dynamic:

 

• imports grow a 3%.
• exports They regress significantly. -13,6%.
• Transits (goods that use the port as a logistics hub) increase by 5,5 %.

 

Regarding the main foreign markets, the Port de Barcelona It maintains the trend of recent months, with notable growth in traffic with Vietnam (+ 22,3%), Turquía (+ 8,9%), Egipto (+ 4,7%) y Brasil (+ 7%).

 

The automotive sector maintains its dynamism

 

Car traffic continues its clear upward trend, with a total of 244.853 units manipulated, a 7% more than in the same period of the previous year. This growth is observed in imports, exports, and transits. A relevant piece of data for the industry is that the electric or hybrid vehicles They already represent the 17,8% of total, consolidating the Port de Barcelona as a key piece in the logistics of the new mobility.

 

Likewise, traffic of Intermodal Transport Units (ITUs) has grown by 2,8%, driven by connections with the Islas Baleares (+0,9%) and, especially, with Italian ports (+7,4%).

 

Passenger traffic: ferries on the rise and cruises on the decline in April

 

Year-to-date passenger traffic has grown by 5%, reaching 1.169.616 travelers. Ferry passengers have increased by 1,3%. However, the cruise segment experienced a contraction in April, with 337.317 cruise passengers, an -16,1% less that in April 2025. The total number of cruise passengers between January and April amounts to 497.971 people.

 

The port authority has clarified that, to offer greater accuracy in the data, a new calculation system has been implemented in collaboration with Turisme de BarcelonaThe goal is to standardize the figures for ship movements with the actual number of cruise passengers visiting the city, following a more rigorous international standard.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the results of Port de Barcelona

 

What does the 13,6% drop in container exports mean for a Spanish exporting company?

For an export manager, this figure is a warning sign that could indicate a contraction in demand in key markets, increased international competition, or inflationary pressures affecting the competitiveness of Spanish products. Foreign trade experts consulted by Empresa Exterior They recommend analyzing destination markets in depth and diversifying trade routes to mitigate risks.

 

Does the sharp increase in liquid bulk cargo, especially chemicals and natural gas, indicate any trend for the industrial sector?

Yes, this growth suggests strong activity in the industrial sector of hinterland de BarcelonaThe 52,1% increase in chemical products may be linked to a rebound in production in the pharmaceutical, plastics, or fertilizer industries. Similarly, the increase in natural gas may reflect higher energy demand from industry or a storage strategy in response to global market volatility.

 

How does the drop in cruise passengers in April affect the supply chain and associated logistics services in Barcelona?

Although tourism is a B2C sector, its impact on B2B logistics is direct. Even a temporary reduction in the number of cruise passengers affects the entire associated supply chain: from food and beverage provisioning for ships to industrial laundry services, waste management, and ground transportation. Logistics companies serving this sector must monitor these trends to adjust their operations and demand forecasts.