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# Barcelona Port Cargo Traffic Rises 5.8% to 23.8 Million Tonnes
- URL: https://barna.news/barcelona-port-cargo-traffic-april-2024/
- Published: 2026-05-19T14:06:46.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-10T21:08:47.000Z
- Description: Barcelona's port saw a 5.8% rise in cargo traffic during the first four months of the year, reaching 23.8 million tonnes, driven by bulk liquids and car movements.
- Author: Brandon Watea
- Tags: transport, #cybertron-source, #source-lang-en

The [Port of Barcelona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port%5Fof%5FBarcelona?ref=barna.news) handled 23.8 million tonnes of cargo during the first four months of 2024, marking a 5.8% increase compared to the previous year. This significant rise reflects strong activity in bulk liquids and vehicle movements at one of Europe's busiest ports.

Bulk liquids were a primary driver of this growth, exceeding 6 million tonnes, a 23.7% year-on-year increase. Chemicals saw particularly strong results, with 1.7 million tonnes, up 52.1%. Natural gas traffic also rose by 44.2% in the same period.

Car traffic also increased, reaching 244,853 units by April, a 7% rise. This growth included both imports and exports, as well as transit vehicles, according to [Official Port of Barcelona Website](https://www.portdebarcelona.cat/en/?ref=barna.news). Notably, electric or hybrid vehicles accounted for 17.8% of the total car movements.

## Container and Solid Bulk Movements

Container traffic rebounded by 2.7%, totalling 1.267 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). TEU refers to standard containers measuring 6.1 metres long, 2.4 metres wide, and 2.6 metres high, according to [Eurostat Maritime Transport Statistics](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Maritime%5Ftransport%5Fof%5Fgoods%5F-%5Fannual%5Fdata&ref=barna.news). Full containers, which the Port considers a better indicator of economic health, showed mixed results.

Imports of full containers increased by 3%, while exports decreased by 13.6%. Transit movements for full containers grew by 5.5%. Solid bulk traffic, however, saw a 4% decline, moderating its previous downward trend.

## Key Trade Partners and Passenger Growth

The [Port of Barcelona](https://barna.news/port-barcelona-open-days-llobregat-lighthouse/) saw notable growth in trade with several countries. Exchanges with Vietnam increased by 22.3%, Turkey by 8.9%, Egypt by 4.7%, and Brazil by 7%. These figures highlight the port's diverse international connections.

Passenger numbers also climbed, reaching 1,169,616 by April, a 5% increase from the previous year. This includes both ferry and cruise passengers, reflecting Barcelona's appeal as a travel hub. The [Port of Barcelona](https://barna.news/port-barcelona-historic-investment-plan/) remains a critical economic engine for the city and Catalonia.

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*Originally published by betevé.* [*Read original article*](https://beteve.cat/economia/trafic-mercaderies-port-barcelona-24-milions-tones-abril-2026/?ref=barna.news)*.*

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