- The Port Authority of Valencia (APV) handled 479,873 containers in March, representing an increase of 11.6% compared with the same month last year. In terms of weight, the goods handled exceeded 7 million tonnes (up 5.23%).
- Trade with China and Mediterranean countries is growing, whilst trade with the United States, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates is declining
- Thanks to strong traffic figures and careful cost management, the Port Authority has closed the first quarter of the year with a 27.32% increase in operating profit, exceeding €10 million
- Among other decisions, the Board of Directors has agreed to transfer four hoppers from the Port of Sagunto to the City Council of the capital of Morvedre
Valencia, 22 April 2026 – The facilities of the Port Authority of Valencia (APV) handled a total of 7,016,806 tonnes of cargo in March (an increase of 5.23% on the previous year). In terms of container traffic, 479,873 TEUs were handled last month; this figure represents an increase of 11.6% compared to the same period in 2026, making last month the second-best March in Valenciaport’s history, despite an adverse international economic climate for trade.
So far this year – between January and March – the ports of Valencia, Sagunt and Gandia have handled 18,675,690 tonnes of cargo (-3.31%). Looking at container traffic, Valenciaport – the trading name for the three ports of the APV – loaded and unloaded 1,312,842 TEUs (+1.40%); and looking back over the last twelve months, the year-on-year figures show traffic of 79,422,389 tonnes (-1.51%) and 5,680,755 containers (+2.94%).
Last March highlighted an increase in traffic with China and a decline with the United States. Year-to-date, container traffic with Chinese ports has grown by 30.56%, reaching 235,903 units. In contrast, operations with the United States have decreased by 20.65%, standing at 73,700 containers.
Similarly, container traffic has increased with Brazil (+10.23%); Morocco (+19.09%) and Vietnam (+23.2%), whilst it has fallen with countries such as Algeria (-5.63%), Turkey (-20.30%), India (-11.03%), the United Arab Emirates (-19.67%) and Israel (-7.83%). The first quarter of 2026 also saw an increase in the number of vessels calling at Valenciaport’s facilities, with 1,712 ships (+2.45%).
In terms of passenger numbers, 76,474 people passed through Valenciaport in March (+6.14%). Of these, 53,955 were passengers on scheduled services (+18.40%) and 22,519 (-14.9%) were cruise passengers. So far this year, 207,895 people have passed through Valenciaport’s facilities (+9.30%), the majority of whom (147,218) were regular service passengers and 60,677 were cruise passengers.
The accounts for the first quarter of 2026
The Chair of Valenciaport, Mar Chao, revealed these figures at today’s Board of Directors’ meeting held at the Clock Tower in the Port of Valencia, where she also gave a preview of Valenciaport’s profit and loss account for the first quarter of 2026.
These figures are encouraging and reflect the APV’s traffic results for the first quarter of 2026. So far this year, net turnover has reached €39,679,020, an increase of 2.6% compared with the figure for 2025 (€38,668,666).
The operating profit has shown a more significant increase; in the first quarter alone – mainly due to cost-cutting measures – it rose by 27.32%, from €8.43 million in the previous financial year to €10.73 million this year.
Other matters
At its meeting today, the Board of Directors approved a number of minor amendments to various concessions, notably the allocation of 41,602 square metres in the northern extension of the Port of Valencia to Valencia North Terminal, as well as the allocation of 3,380 square metres in the southern extension of the port to the Real Club Náutico de Valencia.
Furthermore, approval has been granted to amend the concession granted to APM Terminals, extending its concession period by a further eight years, based on an investment of €10.4 million to be made by the company for the project to install a power station to supply electricity to ships at its quays, known by its English acronym OPS, and the extension and upgrading of the fenders at the Levante Quay to accommodate large vessels (for example,
EEE-class vessels with a length of 400 m and a draught of 16.5 m), ensuring energy absorption and safety. These investments are fully in line with the decarbonisation commitments and the quay electrification strategy promoted by the APV, preparing the infrastructure so that ships can connect to the grid whilst in port and switch off their auxiliary engines, thereby reducing emissions, noise and vibrations.
The Council has also approved a one-year extension of the concession granted to the company Chema Ballester, as well as the concession held by Trans-Base Soler. With regard to the latter concession, it has also been agreed to return 28,155 square metres to the Valencia Port Authority following the partial termination of the concession.
Similarly, the proposal to launch the tender process for the adaptation works on the Turia breakwater to accommodate cruise ships in the Port of Valencia has been given the go-ahead, following the receipt of a favourable technical report from Puertos del Estado. The project has an estimated budget of 46.3 million euros.
Transfer of hoppers to Sagunto Town Council
It has also been agreed that the APV will transfer four hoppers to Sagunto Town Council. The hoppers were part of the production facilities at the Sierra Menera ore wharf. The pieces will be restored by the Town Council and placed in the roundabout next to the Nave de Talleres, where one of the access roads to the Port of Sagunto joins the main road, and close to the site currently being prepared to house the Sagunto Industrial Museum.