The Port of Valencia is gradually resuming cargo activity after halting operations in the aftermath of severe rainstorms that devastated south-east Spain last week.
The port said it is bringing forward the opening of its container terminals to 6 November, to speed up logistical services.
The CSP Iberian Valencia Terminal and AP Moller-Maersk’s APM Terminals will open access to receive containers at 6 am local time (5:00 GMT) and will remain open until 8 pm.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company’s MSC Terminal Valencia will open at 8 am and close at 8 pm, although it will begin to carry out pre-gate procedures at 7 am.
Hapag-Lloyd told customers the rain has caused significant disruption to its operations at the port, but it remains “relentless” in its pursuit of alternatives for its customers.
“Terminals are operating at a reduced pace with limited personnel. Empty containers can be returned from imports and picked up for exports with no restrictions,” it said.
“New rail bookings for export cargo from Madrid to Valencia are currently on hold until operations are fully restored.”
Due to widespread damage to infrastructure, access on main roads to and from terminals is limited, while rail activities remain suspended, pending repairs.
Five loaded trains are stationary in Madrid, Hapag-Lloyd said.
Truck availability is also reduced by damage and staff shortages, while depot operations are running on limited hours.
Valencia is the second-largest port in Spain, after Algeciras, and the fifth busiest in Europe. It handled 2.7m teu in the first half of 2024, up 14% year on year.
The growth was driven by an increase in traffic from three key regions. Traffic from the Red Sea rose by 65%, cargo from the Baltic States increased by 43% and Australia was up by 25%.
In the worst storm to hit Europe in decades, a year’s worth of rain fell in less than eight hours on 29 October, claiming more than 200 lives so far.
