Strategic plans aim to boost Alicante Port’s role in regional growth
Alicante’s port authority is pursuing a clear objective: open the port corridor to increase the movement of goods. This goal was highlighted by the new president, Luis Rodríguez, during the December 15 ceremony that drew many business and company representatives. Previously serving as president of the Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs of the Province of Alicante (Fempa), Rodríguez brings a deep understanding of the area’s diverse industries and aims to leverage that knowledge to bolster port activity. The vision includes accelerating connections with the Mediterranean Corridor and driving port-related opportunities across multiple sectors.
Beyond expanding cargo flows, Rodríguez has laid out a broader agenda focused on stronger business leadership and smarter management. Plans include using ships as a platform for showcasing artificial intelligence and advancing digitalization, supported by initiatives from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism. The strategy also emphasizes energy conversion projects and tourism, with cruise traffic positioned as a key contributor to regional growth.
These initiatives will be rolled out through a strategic plan developed with input from the province’s productive sectors, business associations, and municipalities, with backing from the Generalitat. Provincial president Carlos Mazón underscored the message at Rodríguez’s inauguration, noting that the same standards of accountability and performance expected at the Port of Alicante should apply to the Port of Valencia as well.
Meanwhile, a day before Rodríguez assumed office, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility announced a major development for Valencia’s port system. The government signaled approval for a public tender to construct a new northern container terminal, with an investment totaling just over 660 million euros. The project is designed to significantly expand container capacity and improve traffic flow in the port complex.
The project, which has faced opposition from political parties and some environmental groups, enters a new phase aimed at meeting rising container demand in the years ahead. The terminal will be operated by a multinational consortium and involves an estimated total investment around 1.6 billion euros. In its first phase, the facility is projected to handle up to 5 million TEUs across 136 hectares and could begin operations within about five years. This boost is expected to reshape the regional logistics landscape and support broader economic activity in the Valencia area.
Cox Group, led by Enrique Riquelme, has emerged as a major player in the region’s renewable energy sector. The group recently completed a landmark acquisition, taking over insolvent assets from the Sevillian multinational Abengoa. The 564 million euro bid outperformed offers from several competitors and secured court approval to preserve thousands of jobs. In the ensuing months, the revived company, rebranded as Coxabengoa, unveiled a strategic plan aimed at reaching a turnover of 3 billion euros by 2027 and expanding its footprint within the Valencian Community. The broader goal is to sustain and grow employment while accelerating renewable energy projects and related infrastructure across the area.
Overall, these developments reflect a coordinated effort to align port infrastructure with regional industry needs, digital modernization, and sustainable mobility. The coalescence of port modernization, AI-driven efficiency, tourism development, and renewable energy investment points to a transformed logistics ecosystem that could deliver greater regional prosperity while ensuring long-term environmental and economic resilience. The strategy emphasizes collaboration among government bodies, industry associations, and municipalities to translate ambitious plans into measurable outcomes. [Source: government and port authority briefings; industry press and regional statements]