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Record cruise passenger numbers help Cartagena power to strongest first half of the year
Cargo traffic topped 16.9 million tonnes between January and June, while cruise tourism reached its highest-ever level
The Port of Cartagena has enjoyed a strong start to 2026, handling almost 17 million tonnes of cargo in the first six months of the year while also welcoming a record number of cruise passengers.
Between January and June, the port moved 16.9 million tonnes of goods, an increase of almost 5% compared with the same period last year, reinforcing its position as one of Spain's most important ports for energy, industrial and agricultural imports.
The biggest boost came from solid bulk cargo, which jumped by almost 30% to more than 4 million tonnes.
Demand for agricultural products was particularly strong, with cereals and flour exceeding 1.6 million tonnes as livestock feed producers continued to import large quantities of raw materials. Imports of soybeans and broad beans also remained high, cementing Cartagena's position as Spain's second busiest port for agri-food products.
Coal, petroleum coke and non-metallic minerals also recorded significant increases, with mineral traffic almost tripling compared with the first half of 2025.
Although liquid bulk cargo, traditionally the port's busiest sector, dipped slightly by just over 1%, it still accounted for more than 12.3 million tonnes of traffic.
Within that category, several products reported impressive growth. Diesel imports climbed by more than 44%, petrol volumes almost doubled and chemical products surged by an extraordinary 235%. Oils, fats and biofuels also recorded healthy increases. The slight overall decline was mainly due to lower volumes of crude oil and natural gas.
Elsewhere, general cargo remained broadly stable at around 468,000 tonnes, although some sectors enjoyed notable growth. Shipments of fruit, vegetables and pulses rose by more than 64%, while steel products and frozen fish also increased, highlighting the growing variety of goods passing through the port. Container traffic remained steady at just over 22,000 TEUs.
It was also a record-breaking six months for Cartagena's cruise industry.
A total of 77 cruise ships called at the city during the first half of the year, a modest increase on 2025, but passenger numbers soared by more than 33% to 117,593 visitors, making it the busiest first half ever recorded for cruise tourism at the Port of Cartagena.
Image: APC
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