International Cargo Seaport: Port of Valencia

Port of Valencia is located in the city of the same name in Spain. This port holds a critical reputation as the busiest port in the Mediterranean and the fifth busiest seaport in Europe. The day-to-day business of this port is supported by its 15,000 employees to serve more than 7,500 ships every year.

About Port of Valencia

This port is nestled along an 80-kilometer stretch of the eastern coast of Spain as a part of the Mediterranean Sea’s shores. The Port Authority of Valencia manages this port, and it serves as the center of economic activity that covers a 350 kilometers radius. It handles all types of goods and shows solid growth in Mediterranean cruise traffic.

The History

The crucial role of the Port of Valencia for the economy and trading dates way back to the 6th century BC. The Valencia coastline lacked natural harbors, making it hard to conduct and develop sea trading.

However, in its early days, the port was not as busy as it is today. In fact, the Port of Valencia had gone through many ups and downs along with the country’s history. It had once been destroyed by Pompey in 138 BC and was rebuilt.

The Port finally found its footing after the area finally settled and in peace in 1491. It grew as one of the most prosperous ports in the area, and it even attracted Valencian bankers who funded Christopher Colombus’ voyage.

As the port grew, so did the city. Today, Valencia is known as a famous city with numerous historical buildings.

Volume of Transaction in Port of Valencia

As one of the busiest ports in Europe, The Port of Valencia has an impressive number of transactions yearly. For example, in 2021, the port containerized approximately 632,000 cargos, showing a 22.7% increase from the previous year around the same period. According to one-year data from August 2020 to July 2021, the port moved a total of 5.72 teu in the midst of pandemic situations.

Among its most significant traffic was trading from China with 356,389 teu; followed by the United States with 317,989 teu; Turkey and India took third and fourth place, respectively.

Interesting Facts

More than just providing sea trading activities worldwide, The Port of Valencia has undergone many reconstructions and redevelopments as a tourist attraction. The landmarks, beaches, and nearby districts are renovated, and many modern buildings such as five-star hotels and convention centers are also built to accommodate the tourists’ needs.

With all the essential roles that the port holds, the Port of Valencia is responsible for 51 percent of Spain’s GDP and half of the total working population in the country.

Port of Valencia has a long way to go in history. Thus, it is more than just a business site where economics thrive, but also a tourism attraction with many sightseeing sites. It is likely to grow along with modernism without leaving its historical legacy, which practically witnesses the development of the port itself.