The Port of Alicante recently marked a noteworthy development by welcoming its first cargo vessel from China. The arrival occurred as congestion built up at Valencia’s docks, creating an opening for Alicante to position itself as a viable link in the regional freight network. The move underscores the appeal of swift, cost-efficient transportation and the potential to establish a steady cargo service in the province.
The vessel BBC America, chartered by Global Cargo System, berthed at Pier 23 and discharged 187 twenty-foot and forty-foot containers carrying a diverse range of products. This arrival matters for Alicante because freight activity there has been constrained at about 80 percent capacity, with most shipments bound for the Canary Islands. The operation aligns with the Tempe Group, which focuses on container handling, and demonstrates the possibility of routing cargo from other major ports to Alicante.
Analysts see this as more than a short-term response to port congestion in Valencia. Some argue that Alicante could serve as a durable alternative for medium-sized cargo ships, potentially easing the load on the capital of the Turia region and expanding the province’s logistics capabilities.
Felipe López, head of the Alicante Chamber of Commerce Navigation Commission, commented that a regular service could be established if conditions remain favorable. He noted the port’s lack of berthing constraints, which would enable faster loading and unloading, potentially completing the process within 24 to 48 hours. For local companies, estimated shipping costs could drop by 200 to 300 euros per container.
The convergence with China adds another layer of economic significance. On the export side, Alicante ranks twelfth in regional trade with about 114 million euros annually, while imports from China dominate the province’s trade, totaling roughly 1.293 billion euros. This dynamic reflects a strong ongoing commercial relationship with Asia, benefiting a broad range of industries, from footwear to consumer goods.
Rafael Bernabeu, managing director of J’Khayber, observed that many local firms still rely on Valencia for freight. A viable Alicante alternative could unlock competitive pricing and more flexible schedules. Jesús Navarro, managing director of Carmencita, echoed this sentiment, noting that container costs from Valencia presently fall between 800 and 1,200 euros and that an Alicante option would yield substantial savings. The port’s suitability for medium-sized ships was also highlighted by several industry voices.
Louis Navarro, president of the Alicante State Metal Entrepreneurs Federation, emphasized that expanding freight connections with China would benefit a wide array of sectors. Julián López, head of the Port Authority, explained that while cargo terminal management has been privatized, the port remains dedicated to promoting freight traffic and will back initiatives that advance this goal.
In related regional planning, a group of fifteen companies from Novelda formed a consortium named Xiritxola with the aim of supporting a dry port project in the municipality. The plan envisages financial and logistical backing for the dry port and an integrated rail connection to the Port of Alicante, positioning the facility as a freight-container berth within the Mediterranean Corridor. The project envisions a four-kilometer catenary and a rail link that would relieve pressure on urban traffic while boosting regional logistics capacity.
Jesús Navarro, Carmencita’s managing director and a member of the new consortium, described the initiative as a strategic upgrade that could mirror developments seen in other Spanish regions. He noted that the project is designed to couple goods handling with ongoing technological initiatives and that Port leaders have already been briefed on the proposal. The broader aim is to foster a more robust goods movement framework, leveraging Alicante as a gateway for regional trade.
The newly formed group includes Gonzalo Castelló, Jesús and José Luis Esteve, Luis Iniesta, Antonio Cantó, Luis Miguel Martínez, Juan Carlos Escolano, Paco Castelló, and Mario Miralles, among others. Their collaboration signals a broader push to enhance freight infrastructure and to align logistics projects with the province’s manufacturing and export strengths, while mitigating potential urban traffic pressures as trade activity grows.