The arrival of natural gas at the Port of Sagunto has tripled during the first nine months of 2022, so as to reach 3,038,695 tonnes, in comparison to 1,039,875 tonnes in 2021, which represents an increase of 192.22%, according to data from the Statistical Bulletin of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV).
Of this total, practically 60% comes from the United States of America (US), which has become the main supplier to the Sagunto site, in Spain. A situation marked by the geopolitical scenario – with the war in Ukraine or the situation with Algeria – which has positioned the Port of Sagunto, which has a re-gasification plant, as a strategic point for the import/export of this energy source.
Total freight traffic affected by global uncertainty
This uncertainty in the world economy characterises the Valenciaport figures for the January-September period
This uncertainty in the world economy characterises the Valenciaport figures for the January-September period. Thus, total freight traffic amounted to more than 61.7 million tonnes, which represents a decrease of 3.27%.
On analysing total traffic by form of presentation, liquid bulk increased by 80.46%, solid bulk by 8.74%, non-containerised goods increased by 1.03%, while containerised goods fell by 8.75%.
Liquid bulks account for highest traffic in Valenciaport's history
In this regard, it should be noted that liquid bulks, due to the push of natural gas but also of other energy products, present the highest traffic in the history of Valenciaport, while solid bulks (cereals) are also close to record records dating back to the beginning of 2019.
Two indicators that show the complexity of trade and the international situation that are generating imbalances in the value chain that make many shipping companies opt for loading and unloading ports in safe ports and with great capacity to receive this type of products, such as the ports managed by the PAV.
Movement of TEUs
About the movement of TEUs (standard 20-foot containers), between January and September 2022, 3,949,066 units have been mobilised, representing a fall of 6.59%.
Full containers dedicated to imports grew by 7.5% in the first nine months of the year, those for export fell by 6.88% and those for transit fell by 13.05% (244,815 units less), while empty containers fell by 2.62%.
Vehicles and countries
Passenger traffic exceeded one million people (including regular lines and cruise passengers), with a total growth of 141%
Regarding ro-ro traffic (system by which a vessel transports cargo on wheels), in the first nine months of the year – 2022, 9,898,575 tonnes have been handled, 0.68% more than the same period of 2021, while cars in cargo regime stood at 429,303 units, 14.85% more.
On the other hand, passenger traffic exceeded one million people (including regular lines and cruise passengers), with a total growth of 141%. Specifically, 612,886 regular line passengers and 451,394 cruise passengers, which represent an 8-fold increase in the number of this type of visitor - this bearing in mind that the cruise industry was limited for many months in 2021.
USA generates the highest traffic by country
Regarding total traffic by country, the United States of America (USA) is the one that has generated most movement with a total of 6,698,293 tonnes and a growth of 18.68%. A third of this traffic is imports, which increased by 200%.
USA is followed by Italy with 5,760,380 tonnes with a decrease of 0.7%, while China was in third place with a decrease of 7% and a total of 4,844,317 tonnes. About the countries that handle the most containers with Valenciaport, China is in first place with 426,605 (-7.53%), followed by the United States of America with 386,581 (-4.36%) and Turkey with 195,253 (-17.27%).
The most dynamic in the first nine months of the year were the United Kingdom (UK) with an increase of 54.68% and Australia with 18.8% more.
