Closed bulk storage proved decisive in shaping Alicante port’s outcomes. The port handled 3.2 million tons of goods last year, and the stronger performance of the storage facilities helped counterbalance declines elsewhere. Those drops were tied to slower construction work at the terminal operated by JVS, yet overall activity in the Alicante port zone surpassed the national average for the year.
Public port statistics for 2023 show that all state ports together moved 543,307,746 tons of goods. This marks a 3.3% drop from the previous year. Within this national trend, Alicante stood out, finishing near its 2022 levels with 3,211,196 tons moved, a 0.7% decrease.
As noted, public transport continues to drive operations in the Alicante port area, accounting for 1,879,720 tonnes of traffic. Notably, solid bulk cargo rose by 10.5%, totaling 1,832,995 tons, while liquid bulk cargo surged by 53.6%, reaching 46,725 tons.
Officials attribute this growth to the ongoing improvements in bulk carrier performance following its late-2022 entry into service. Data provided to the Port Authority indicate that facilities are operating at about 80% capacity, with full efficiency expected by the end of March. Reducing dusty emissions, a key request from nearby residents, also facilitated faster loading and unloading, directly contributing to the rise in goods movement.
In the solid bulk category, the most commonly handled materials include aggregates, cement, stone, and residues from the region’s marble quarries. For liquids, asphalt and bitumen stand out as major commodities.
While activity overall increased in these sectors, other goods saw a 14.4% decline, totaling 1,303,168 tons. Explanations point to the ongoing construction of the new JVS terminal, which slowed port traffic. Among the other products showing reductions were marble and glass movements.
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Looking at supply chains, port supply rose significantly last year, up 26.1% to 28,308 tons. The fish market ultimately disappeared from commercial statistics as sales ended, dropping from 378 tons in 2022 to zero in 2023. Activity in this segment resumed later in the year with a market reopening that restored operations to these facilities.
Luis Rodríguez, newly elected president of the Alicante Port Authority, has repeatedly stated that increasing freight traffic is a central objective. He envisions a road map that intensifies cooperation with the province’s major production sectors. A crucial element will be linking the Mediterranean Corridor to port facilities, which will require the construction of an intermodal station within a restricted zone. This integration is expected to be pivotal for reaching growth targets.
Cruise tourism finished 2023 with a 67% jump in passenger numbers, reaching 196,000 travelers. The number of cruise ships rose from 60 in 2022 to 85 in 2023. The Port Authority aims to maintain momentum in this segment, leveraging regional dynamics that redirect cruise liners toward the western Mediterranean ports in times of regional conflict elsewhere.