A business summit linking Madrid with the Valencian Community began this week, organized by the Conexus Foundation. The opening session focused on logistics, with the Port of Valencia highlighted as a central player in the discussions.
The talks underscored the importance of infrastructure, which has awaited final approval from the Council of Ministers for almost a year regarding the northern terminal expansion. Leaders from both regions stressed this during their initial remarks, underscoring the need for the meeting and the productive synergy between Madrid and the Valencian Community.
The first panel was moderated by Josep Vicen Boira, the Government commissioner for the Mediterranean corridor and president of the Port of Valencia, joined by Mar Chao; Francisco Lorente, president of MSC; Adolfo Utor, president of Balearia; and Juan Pablo Lazaro, president of Sending.
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All speakers highlighted the aim of strengthening intermodal connectivity and advancing sustainability. Boira reported that there are 14 EU funded projects worth 2.3 billion euros directly impacting freight traffic between Madrid and the Valencian Community, with many more in the pipeline.
On the northern terminal expansion, a project that gained momentum after the Transport Minister visited Valencia on Thursday, Chao described the facility as a critical asset for the port to maintain national leadership. It would enable better connections with Madrid and beyond. He called the project strategic for the country.
Chao stated that the port authority acts as a facilitator and has made a significant commitment to promoting rail transport in order to bring goods closer together.
Lorente, representing the leading global shipping company backing the port expansion, affirmed MSC’s environmental consciousness and its willingness to cooperate in marine protection. He also urged balance in green taxes, noting a ship docking in Valencia incurs about 300,000 euros in taxes, while docking in Tangier carries much lower charges. This discrepancy was pointed out as a comparative concern.
Balearia’s president closed by aligning with his union, stressing that maritime transport remains far more sustainable than road, air, or even rail travel. He argued that sustainability measures can act as a lever for competitiveness.
These remarks collectively framed a vision of enhanced intermodal infrastructure, stronger regional cooperation, and a shared commitment to greener shipping practices that could shape future policy and investment across southern Europe. [Citation attribution: Conexus Foundation event and participating port authorities.]