The energy crisis drives up merchandise traffic in the port of Barcelona

BarcelonaThe energy crisis derived from the war in Iran, together with the strong increase in the import of Chinese electrified cars, have driven up merchandise traffic at the port of Barcelona during the first quarter of this year, according to data provided by the Port Authority. Thus, total merchandise traffic between January and March has been 17,284,998 tons, with a growth of 4.2% compared to the same period in 2025. Bulk liquids, which have totaled 4.27 million tons, continue to drive this growth with an increase of 33.7%.

Within bulk liquids, increases in natural gas (+64.5%) and gasoil (+36%) stand out, while bulk solids have fallen by 8.6%, weighed down by the declines in cement and clinker, and cereals and flours, despite the good results for potash (+41.9%), common salt (+46.7%), and soybeans (+11%).

Container traffic has been 921,623 TEU, with a decrease of 1.8% compared to the first three months of the previous year. Full container traffic reflects the trade tensions and international conflicts of recent months, indicates the Port Authority. Import containers have grown by 3.2%, while export containers (-17.7%) and transit containers (-1.7%) have declined. The growth in container traffic with Turkey (+17%), Vietnam (+33.2%), and India (+1.6%) should be highlighted.

More cars

Car traffic, which has reached 177,409 units (+5.3%), also maintains the growth of recent months, highlighting the increase in electric or hybrid cars, with traffic 91.7% higher than in the same period last year. Electric or hybrid cars already represent 17.73% of the total vehicles handled at the port of Barcelona.

Between January and March of this year, a total of 701,192 passenger movements have occurred, 24.1% more than in 2025. Ferry passengers have grown by 9.6% due to increases with the Balearic Islands (+11%) and with Italy (+11.7%). In the cruise section, 290,545 people visited the city of Barcelona.