16/02/2024
Impressive Economic Outcome for Málaga Port in 2023 Due to Diversification of Traffic
- Cruise tourism, regular lines to North Africa, and solid bulk movements were the main trades last year.
- Recreational and sports yachting experienced a very positive surge due to megayacht activity.
The President of the Port Authority, Carlos Rubio, and the Director, José Moyano, presented the closing data for 2023 related to the traffic, economic outcome, and their commitment to sustainability.
Cruise tourism, regular lines to North Africa, and the solid bulk movement were the most noteworthy operations, considering that nautical sports and recreational activities gained momentum due to the megayacht activity.
The President, Carlos Rubio, stated, «Economic and geopolitical factors have impacted international trade, but the diversification of our port’s traffic ultimately positively consolidated the year’s outcome.» He emphasized, «The strategic orientation in the goods sector is to promote import and export and establish steady relationships with the businesses dedicated to this in the Málaga area.»
In this context, there was a 21% increase in imports, of particular interest to companies in the port’s hinterland, as the Port is becoming a reference space in the movement of subtropical products. The specialization of companies in Axarquía that manage the preparation and maturation of products from Latin America is significantly driving this traffic.
On the other hand, exports were reduced by 24% compared to the previous year, driven by the focus of the cement factory on the domestic market.
Summary of Traffic
The movement of containers was most affected by the global economic and geopolitical situation, decreasing by a significant 87%.
As for the movement of bulk goods, these trades are well-established. Regarding solid bulk, 66% is accounted for by agricultural activity, with the most significant increase in liquid bulk, rising by 23%.
However, the standout growth concerns vehicle imports, which grew by 45% compared to 2022, reaching almost 66,000 units. These figures indicate a clear recovery, approaching the pre-pandemic data.
Other relevant traffic resulted from the new Tangier line, initiated in the first quarter of 2023 for the movement of rolling cargo. Additionally, there was significant passenger flow.
Regarding passengers on the Málaga-Melilla connection, there is a consolidation in the numbers, with 351,568 passengers and 75,177 vehicles in passenger regime.
In addition to this, cruise tourism exceeded 500,000 passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic data both in cruise passengers and stops.
Finally, sports and recreational yachting is showing very positive results, considering that the megayacht marina is fully operational and the San Andrés sports marina project is progressing.
2023 Financial Closure
The Port of Málaga received operating income of 20.9 million euros, with an annual result of 1.9 million (pre-tax).
Commitment to Sustainability
The application of sustainability in the management processes of the activity remains the commitment of both the public body and the companies within the Port Community.
The Port Authority Director, José Moyano, ensured that «100% of the energy consumed within the port area is derived from renewable energy.» He added that «the carbon footprint related to the provision of general services was practically reduced to zero.»
Concerning the evolution of air quality, the analysis result through the sensors located in the port showed that 95% of days the port area enjoys good to excellent air quality.
In 2023, new discounts were applied to encourage intermodality through the rail connection in Los Prados, and the port police’s electric vehicle fleet was renewed. Additionally, LNG was supplied to a cruise ship for the first time, continuing what was already being done with regular vessels to Melilla. It is also noteworthy that the Port Authority is working on the project to electrify the docks, with an investment of about 75 million euros over the next five years.
