Spain Approves €1.57bn Investment for State-Owned Ports

Spain has approved €1.57 billion ($1.8 billion) in public investment for its state-owned port network in 2027, with funding aimed at expanding terminal capacity, supporting offshore wind projects, improving shore power facilities, and strengthening rail links.

The largest share of the investment, €913.8 million, will be used to develop new infrastructure and equipment to meet changing cargo demand. A further €321.8 million has been earmarked for sustainability initiatives, while €179.7 million will fund improvements to landside access, primarily through rail connections.

One of the flagship projects included in the program is the start of construction on Valencia’s new northern container terminal. Terminal Investment Limited is developing the highly automated facility, which is expected to handle around 5 million TEU each year.

The investment package will also fund work at the Port of Barcelona, including the future Catalunya Wharf, new berths, and the expansion of the Adossat Quay.

Elsewhere, Bilbao will move forward with the second phase of its central breakwater and increase liquid bulk capacity at Punta Ceballos. Cartagena is set to build a new jetty, while Huelva will add another liquid bulk berth. Additional quay and breakwater developments are also planned for Málaga, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Tarragona, and Almería.

Spain is also using the investment program to strengthen its position in Europe’s offshore wind industry. A Coruña will develop its southern platform to support turbine assembly and logistics operations, while Castellón will create additional waterfront facilities for offshore wind manufacturing.

To support the country’s automotive export sector, new vehicle storage silos will be constructed at the ports of Santander and Vigo.

Around 20% of the total investment has been allocated to sustainability projects, up from 17.5% in 2026 and 13% in 2025. Key initiatives include shore power installations at Algeciras, Bilbao, and Valencia, allowing ships to shut down their auxiliary engines while alongside, reducing emissions in port.

The 2027 spending plan forms part of a broader €7.09 billion investment strategy covering the period from 2026 to 2030.

Spain’s state port system expects to generate €1.44 billion in revenue next year, with pre-tax profits forecast to exceed €167 million, enabling most of the infrastructure program to be financed through port charges and concession revenues.

During the first six months of 2026, Spain’s state-owned ports handled 277.7 million tonnes of cargo, an increase of approximately 1% compared to the same period last year. Container traffic also continued to grow, rising 2% to 9.4 million TEU.