Valenciaport, as a thermometer of economic activity and world trade, reflects in its 2022 data the international crisis that is affecting the business situation and the global exchange of goods, which is facing a complex situation marked by the war in Ukraine, increased neo-protectionism, high inflation and the rise in fuel and raw material prices. Despite the fall in total traffic (-6.92%) and container traffic (-9.85%) during the previous year, Valenciaport maintains its share of 40% of import/export traffic in the Spanish port system, as in previous years. This is the traffic where Valenciaport provides its direct service to the companies in its hinterland. The year closed with an increase in the number of cars handled, which rose by 22.25%, and passengers, both on regular lines (+48.67%) and cruise passengers (+376%).

Thus, according to data from the Statistical Bulletin of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), a total of 79,365,321 tonnes of goods were handled in 2022, representing a decrease of 6.92%, while TEUs amounted to 5,052,272 with a fall of 9.85% – in line with the indications of the SeaIntelligence consultancy of a drop in

world traffic of around 10%. A decrease in containers that occurs mainly in transit containers with a drop of 416,137 units, 16.81% in relative terms with respect to the 2021 financial year. They went from 2,475,802 in 2021 to 2,059,665 last year, traffic that has been diverted to other Mediterranean ports. Regarding full cargo containers (export), which reached almost one million, there was a decrease of 82,032 containers, -7.59% less than in 2021. And full unloading containers (import) have grown by 1.55% to 850,589 units. Empty containers fell by 5.54% in 2022.

The drop in export traffic is a symptom of the economic health of the hinterland of the Port of Valencia, and reflects the fact that we are in a crisis where the main markets to which Spain exports are having a hard time. While the low growth in imports is linked to the production of companies and domestic consumption. In 2022 these containers have increased by 1.55% compared to a few months ago where there were increases of over 20%, which represents a clear slowdown in the acquisition of goods and raw materials that affects the production of the business fabric of the area of influence of Valenciaport.

However, the key for the Port of Valencia is that the weight of import/export (where Valenciaport provides direct service to companies) for the whole of Spain has remained at 40%, as in previous years.

This trend is also reproduced in the last month of the year, with a decrease of 18.86% in goods, which reached 5,597,064 tonnes. Containers fell by 20.33%, with 351,427 containers handled in the last month of the year. The falls were in full loads (-12.52%), unloading (-16.84%) and transit (-27.68%). Empties also suffered a drop of 13.43%.

About the type of goods, the current situation is a clear reflection of Valenciaport’s traffic and the change in the arrival/departure of products. Thus, liquid bulk has mobilised 5,818,821 tonnes (+50.44%), highlighting the natural gas that has been managed through the Port of Sagunto, which has doubled in 2022 compared to 2021 to reach 4,118,575 tonnes. In fact, the number of ships dedicated to the transport of products such as energy products was 322, 10.65% more than the previous year. The United States accounts for half of all natural gas imports. Solid bulk cargoes exceeded 2,255,164 tonnes, up 4.45%, with an increase of 12.14% in cereals and their flours. Non-containerised cargo maintained the 2021 quota with 14,763,010 tonnes, while the decrease occurred in containerised cargo with 56,125,555 tonnes, 12.33% less.

In general, traffic has decreased in all sectors. Iron and steel fell by 9.85%, construction materials by 12.61% and chemical products by 9.99%. The agri-food sector maintains in 2022 the figures of 2021, with a decrease of 0.47%. The sectors that increased are energy (+63.5%), other goods (+2.39%) with wood and cork (+12.95%) and vehicles and transport elements (+1.36%) standing out.

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