Chinese automaker GWM chooses the Port of Barcelona to launch operations in Spain

Chinese car company GWM has chosen the Port of Barcelona to start operations in Spain. The first 500 vehicles from Great Wall Motors (GWM) arrived in Barcelona this week from the Chinese Port of Lianyungang, further strengthening the Port of Barcelona’s role as a gateway for automotive imports into Spain and Europe.

GWM joins a growing number of Chinese automotive manufacturers that have chosen the Port of Barcelona as their operational base. Its strategic location in Southern Europe, combined with strong maritime connectivity through new car-carrier services, a comprehensive intermodal network spanning sea, rail, and road transport, and a wide range of automotive-specific services, has helped establish the Port of Barcelona as a key entry point for Chinese vehicles into Europe.

The vehicles were unloaded at Setram, one of the two specialized vehicle terminals at the Port of Barcelona, marking the beginning of GWM's operations in the Spanish market. Advanced logistics services are crucial for attracting international automotive brands. The 500 vehicles unloaded by the company, including combustion-engine, non-plug-in hybrid, and electric models, will undergo final adjustments and preparations at Setram's facilities before they are delivered to dealerships.

They arrived aboard the Anji Flourishment, a next-generation car carrier with capacity for 9,500 vehicles that sailed from the port of Lianyungang in China.

The arrival of GWM further reinforces the Port of Barcelona’s strategic position in the international automotive trade. In 2025, the Port handled 716,657 vehicles, while imports increased by 44%, driven mainly by traffic from Chinese ports. Figures through April 2026 indicate continued growth, with electric vehicles already accounting for 17% of all vehicles arriving at the Port.

To accommodate this growing traffic, the Port of Barcelona currently operates two terminals dedicated to new vehicle transport: Autoterminal and Setram. A third terminal, currently under construction by the Spanish subsidiary of Japan’s NYK Group, is scheduled to begin operations in 2027 and will feature Europe’s first large-scale automated vehicle silo.

Once operational, the three terminals will provide around 120 hectares dedicated exclusively to vehicle traffic, further strengthening the Port of Barcelona’s logistics leadership and its capacity to support the growing demands of the automotive industry.

Source: Port of Barcelona