The 2000-2007 Infrastructure Program envisions an investment of over €7.500 billion for the modernization of Spain's state-owned ports. Of this amount, €2.800 billion must come from private investment. Sometimes, companies contracted by port authorities carry out superstructural works, the operation of which will allow them to recoup their costs, but the facilities remain public property.
Among the functions assigned to Port Authorities, according to Article 37 of the State Ports Law, is the management of infrastructure. Once investment projects and their costs have been approved, the Authorities can contract third-party companies to carry out the construction work. In other cases, private entities undertake superstructural works, obtaining as their profit the right to operate this infrastructure, with all the associated rights and under a concession agreement, for a period agreed upon with the port authority. This agreement is usually extended to allow the chosen company to recoup its investment costs. However, the facilities remain the property of the public entity.
The Port Authority of Barcelona is responsible for this management, and companies may offer and provide their services to the Port Authority when required. The organization of the port area is carried out through a Master Plan, with the aim of transforming the port into more than just a physical space—into a network of shared services. In fact, Barcelona has a Logistics and Port Community, comprised not only of the Port Authority, Customs, and other port-related administrations, but also of all professionals who have direct dealings with the port (shipping agents, stevedores, freight forwarders, customs brokers, carriers, and companies dedicated to logistics activities).
The Barcelona Container Terminal (TCB) and the Catalonia Terminal (TERCAT), among other multipurpose terminals, are the two most important in the Port of Barcelona.
The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) has also developed an Infrastructure Master Plan. The first investments are for Campamento and Isla Verde. On May 26, four joint ventures (12 companies in total) bid for the construction of the "Wharf and Outer Esplanade Project next to Isla Verde" (the award will be announced in July).
The development of this project is being carried out in two phases and will involve a total investment by the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) of approximately €500 million, for which European funding has been requested. Once completed, the port will have an area of 112 hectares, 2.675 meters of quay line, and 1.626 meters of breakwater. The phase for which the four joint ventures have submitted bids includes: a 697-meter-long quay with a 17,5-meter draft perpendicular to the existing breakwater, a 642-meter-long vertical breakwater parallel to the existing one, a 679-meter-long embankment with a slope, and a 46-hectare esplanade.
In the Port of Algeciras Bay there are two large container terminals: the Algeciras Container Terminal (TCA), operated by Acciona and TCB, and the terminal operated by Maersk Sealand.
In Las Palmas, the Gran Canaria Economic Development Agency (SPEGC) was created to promote the island's economic development by encouraging investment in new businesses. To this end, it informs businesses about the advantages of Gran Canaria as an investment destination and acts as an intermediary in facilitating these investments. Providing information, advice, promotion, and direct support to investors are its main functions. The Port of Las Palmas has three container terminals, and work is underway to increase its capacity to two million containers.
Furthermore, the investment chapter of the 2004 Business Plan of the Port Authority of the Bay of Cadiz includes the expansion of the Reina Sofia and Marqués de Comillas docks, and the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of Cartagena has just approved the award of the construction of a pontoon for tankers to the joint venture formed by Dragados and Necso, for an amount of 17,13 million euros.
– Pérez y Cía., a global offering for the maritime business
– Mestre Group, integrated maritime port logistics
– Acciona's strategic plan
– Dragados- SLP: A large shareholder group
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