Cartagena Port gains ground despite global uncertainty
Despite all the noise in global trade, Cartagena continues to perform well compared to other Spanish ports, with increases in cargo volumes and exports
At the end of the first four months of 2026, activity at the Port of has continued to hold its ground, even with global instability still affecting trade routes and energy markets. Tensions between Iran and the United States, along with disruption around key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, have added uncertainty to international freight.
Even so, the port has managed to stay on track. By the end of April, total cargo volumes were up 4.5% on the same period last year. In total, Cartagena handled around 11.7 million tonnes of goods coming in and out of its terminals, compared with 11.2 million tonnes a year earlier.
That keeps it firmly in fourth place in Spain for freight traffic, just behind Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona.
Liquid cargo, like fuel, gas and oil, which still makes up the bulk of activity in Cartagena port, continued to rise. Volumes reached 8.65 million tonnes, slightly above last year's 8.51 million. April saw a small fall of around 110,000 tonnes, but the overall trend remains positive.
Dry bulk, like salt, grain, coal, iron, etc., was the standout. Volumes rose 16.7% year-on-year to 2.71 million tonnes, compared with 2.32 million in 2025. April alone was particularly strong, up around 40% on the same month last year. Cartagena is now the third busiest port in Spain for dry cargo, behind Gijón and Tarragona.
Imports fell slightly over the period, down 3.9% (around 300,000 tonnes), but still reached 7.72 million tonnes. That is enough to keep Cartagena as Spain's leading import port. It also remains number one nationally for liquid imports, ahead of Bilbao, Huelva and Tarragona.
Exports, which account for about a quarter of bulk traffic, rose 8.5% to around 2.5 million tonnes. Dry cargo exports stood out again, rising by roughly 39% to close to one million tonnes, making it one of the strongest growth areas among Spanish ports this year.
The picture across Spain
Across Spain’s main ports, total cargo traffic reached 181.9 million tonnes up to April 2026, a slight fall of 0.3% on the same period last year.
General cargo dipped slightly, down 0.5%, with just over 91 million tonnes moved.
Container traffic continued to rise, up 4.2% to more than 6.1 million TEUs (One TEU = one standard 20-foot shipping container), supported by growth in transit and import-export activity.
Liquid cargo increased by 2.9%, helped by stronger flows of fuel, gas and chemical products.
Dry bulk continued to decline, though at a slower pace, reaching 25.05 million tonnes.
Roll-on/roll-off traffic also dipped slightly, while both ship arrivals and passenger numbers saw slight decreases compared with last year.
See also:Nearly 18,000 cruise passengers arriving in Cartagena with seven cruise ships due in six days
Images: Puerto de Cartagena
Oficina de turismo de Cartagena
Cartagena tourism information
Where to find basic tourism information and information about historical sites and places to visit in Cartagena, Spain.
Cartagena has a wealth of historical sites, including the Roman Theatre Museum, Archaeological Museum, ARQUA Subaquatic Archaeology Museum, Panoramic lift, Civil War Air raid Shelter and Military and Naval Museums, as well as Tourist Bus and Tourist Boat which ferries visitors across to the Fuerte de Navidad.
There is one main Tourist Information Office and 2 tourist information points, the main one being in the Muralla Púnica Interpretation centre in Calle de san Diego and the other next to the Civil War Air Raid Shelter and Panoramic lift.
The office in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the easiest place to pick up a map if you've come into the port from a cruise ship, and has a few basic 
leaflets, but not a lot else.
The information point for the Puerto de Culturas attractions is by the Panoramic lift and Civil War Air Raid shelter in Calle Gisbert, although maps and leaflets are available at any of 3 information points.
There is plenty of in depth information about Cartagena in the dedicated Cartagena section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every article page or by using the town search box at the top of the page. the introduction gives basic information about the city and then readers can select from the subjects below for information about the city, or the rest of the municipality.
Tourist Offices:
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Puertas de San José
Plaza Almirante Bastarreche s/n
Opening hours: weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00.
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Muralla Púnica
Calle de San Diego, 25
30202, Cartagena
Telephone 968 52 14 27
Click for map, Tourist information office Muralla Púnica.
Opening hours.
31st July to 15th September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
16th September to 4th November, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm.
5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
Punto de Informacion Turistica
This is on the side of the Palacio Consistorial in Cartagena ( The Town Hall)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento S/N
Cartagena, Spain
Tel 968 128 955
Click for map, Tourist Information point, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Opening hours
May to September: Monday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm and 5pm-7pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
October to April: Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
Cartagena - Punto de Información Turística Ascensor Panorámico
Calle Gisbert, 10
30202 CARTAGENA
Opening hours:
From 31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Semana Santa, Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 16th to 30th September (Cartagineses y Romanos) Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm.
From1st October to 4th November , Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
From 1st July to 15th September, Monday to sunday 10am to 8pm
Click for map, Panoramic Lift, Cartagena
