APM Terminals invests €156 million in Barcelona to boost Mediterranean logistics hub

Business Investments

19 Sep 2025

The Dutch company’s €156M modernization plan will increase capacity, enable two mega-container ships to operate simultaneously, and advance decarbonisation at the Port of Barcelona.

APM Terminals will invest €156 million in the modernization and expansion of its container terminal at the Port of Barcelona, strengthening the city’s role as a strategic logistics hub in the Mediterranean. The works, which began in August and will be completed by 2028, will allow the facility to handle two mega-container ships simultaneously and increase its annual capacity to 1.23 million TEUs.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the Port of Barcelona and to the sustainable growth of Spain as a key logistics hub in Europe”

Julián Fernández, Managing Director of APM Terminals Spanish Gateways

The project includes reinforcing the South Quay berths, adapting infrastructure for ships with a draught of up to 15 meters, and replacing rails to accommodate new Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, the largest of their kind at the Port of Barcelona. Three of the five cranes ordered from ZPMC are already operational, while the remaining two will arrive by mid-2026.

According to Julián Fernández, Managing Director of APM Terminals Spanish Gateways, the modernization represents "a strategic milestone for APM Terminals and reaffirms our firm commitment to the port development of Barcelona and to the sustainable growth of Spain as a key logistics hub in Europe". Fernández emphasized that the upgraded facilities will raise efficiency and service standards across the Mediterranean.

Beyond capacity expansion, the project is also aligned with decarbonisation goals. By 2028, the terminal will integrate an Offshore Power Supply (OPS) system, enabling ships to connect to the local electricity grid while docked, thus reducing emissions and improving environmental performance.

APM Terminals, a Dutch company headquartered in The Hague, operates the 81-hectare South Quay concession of the Port of Barcelona. With this investment, the company reinforces its long-term commitment to Spain’s logistics sector and positions Barcelona as a gateway for global trade.

Source: APM Terminals

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