The Ministry of Transport has approved an investment plan worth over 1.5 billion euros for Spanish ports by 2027

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, through the Governing Council of Puertos del Estado, has approved the draft consolidated budget for the state-owned port system for 2027, which includes public investment totalling more than 1.5 billion euros (1.567 billion euros).

The main area of investment in Spanish ports is that allocated to infrastructure and facilities aimed at improving port capacity in line with changes in demand, which amounts to 913.8 million euros.

Sustainability, meanwhile, at 321.8 million euros, is the second largest budget item, with particular significance for OPS projects (electricity connections at the quays to supply power to moored vessels), which are largely funded by the European Union.

This figure means that 20% of the total investment will be allocated to this objective, representing a significant increase compared to the 17.5% allocated in the 2026 budget and the 13% for 2025. This reflects the system's commitment to greener ports and to meeting European and international targets in this area.

Puertos del Estado's sustainability strategy aims not only to reduce CO₂ emissions linked to port operations, but also those from the maritime and land transport networks that converge at the ports. In this regard, the port authority has also approved investments totalling 179.7 million euros in 2027 (11% of the plan's total) for the development of new land access routes - primarily rail links - or the improvement of existing ones, with the aim of increasing the proportion of freight entering or leaving the ports by rail.

It is hoped that this will reduce emissions linked to the movement of goods, as well as help to ease congestion at urban transport hubs.

Finally, the port system's investment plan is rounded off by 'port-city' initiatives aimed at bringing the ports closer to the public and improving their quality of life, with a budget of 67 million euros; measures to enhance security, with a budget of 51.2 million euros; and digitalisation, with a budget of 26.4 million euros.

Improving competitiveness and tackling challenges

These figures have been finalised following the approval of the Business Plans agreed between Puertos del Estado and the Port Authorities, and will enable the state-owned port system to strengthen itself in order to meet the challenges ahead and continue to improve its competitiveness.

For the period 2026-2030, the investment plans agreed with the port authorities under the 2027 Business Plan total over 7 billion euros on a consolidated basis (7.093 billion).

In any case, these investments reflect the commitment to the state-owned port system expressed by the Minister for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, who announced at the end of last year that more than 7 billion euros would be allocated to ensure that these strategic state-owned infrastructure projects improve their competitiveness and drive their growth over the next five years.

Major projects for 2027

Among the most significant projects in terms of investment in port infrastructure by 2027 are:

• The new north terminal at the Port of Valencia.
• The development of the southern esplanade for offshore wind power in the Port of A Coruña.
• The extension of the Pechina quay at the port of Almería.
• The enclosure for the development of the future Catalunya Quay, the construction of the new Berth 34 and the extension of the Adosado Quay, in the Port of Barcelona.
• Phase 2 of the Central Breakwater and the expansion of the liquid bulk facilities at Punta Ceballos in the Port of Bilbao.
• The jetty opposite No. 19 in the Port of Cartagena.
• Construction work on the riverside quay in the southern basin for an offshore wind farm at the Port of Castellón.
• The liquid bulk jetty at the port of Huelva.
• The commercial quay at Puerto del Rosario and the quay adjoining the Reina Sofía Quay in Las Palmas.
• Quay No. 8 at the port of Málaga.
• The Ribera quay in Granadilla (Tenerife).
• The Baleares Quay in Tarragona.
• The new vehicle storage silos at the ports of Santander and Vigo.

For improvements to access routes within the service area, those to the ports of Cádiz, Barcelona, Castellón and Algeciras are of note.

With regard to sustainability-related projects, those for OPS connections at the ports of Algeciras, Bilbao and Valencia, amongst others, are particularly noteworthy, whilst in the 'port-city' category, projects such as the Almería waterfront and the first phase of the Levante quay in Huelva will be carried out.

Consolidated Budget 2027

The budget for 2027, approved today at the meeting of the Governing Council of Puertos del Estado for the port system as a whole, forecasts net turnover of 1.437 billion euros, representing sustainable growth compared to the 1.351 billion recorded at the end of 2025 and the 1.374 billion forecast for the end of 2026.

The projected pre-tax profit for the financial year, as set out in the 2027 budget, exceeds 167 million euros, which will enable the ports to maintain their financial self-sufficiency, allowing them to carry out their investment plans and meet their operating spending.

Usage fees - which include, amongst others, cargo, vessel and passenger fees, and which represent the largest source of revenue - are forecast to rise to over 679 million euros next year; whilst occupancy and activity fees will reach 383 million euros and 175 million euros respectively.

Non official translation