The Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, inaugurated yesterday in Valencia the I National Congress of the Port Sector before more than 650 attendees. The event, organized by Port Authorities in collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia, will bring together over 50 national and international experts in 12 round tables and four conferences over three days under the title "The challenges of a strategic sector for Spain."
In his speech, Santano emphasized that "the port system is one of the major pillars of transportation, competitiveness, and the economy of our country," and announced that investments of up to 7 billion euros are expected until 2029 for the 46 ports of general interest managed by the 28 Spanish port authorities. These investments will be directed towards decarbonization, railway connectivity, and modernization of the transport system with the aim of consolidating Spain's position as a global logistics node.
The president of Port Authorities, Gustavo Santana, noted that the congress "was born with the vocation to look beyond the short term, foster cooperation between administrations and the private sector, and build consensus that allows us to successfully face the challenges that are already here," and added that "the transformation of ports is not just a technical issue; it is a strategic issue for the country." For her part, the president of the Port Authority of Valencia, Mar Chao, pointed to sustainability and digitalization as the major challenges for Spanish ports.
The first day focused on port strategy in a context of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, as well as on decarbonization and electrification of the docks. Representatives from the European Commission, the International Maritime Organization, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, ICEX and Redeia, along with energy companies like Enagás, Endesa, Iberdrola, Regenera and Moeve, and shipping companies like MSC and Balearia participated.
The second day, planned for today, will address port operations and security, with the participation of representatives from Boluda, Best, Ership, Noatum, Atlantic Copper, the Spanish Association of Mooring Companies and the National College of Practitioners. Business models for ports will also be analyzed from the investor's perspective, with Algeposa, Ocean Capital Partners, Cosco, and JSV, and a vision of the global maritime transport situation will be provided by the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy and UNCTAD. Security in strategic infrastructures and border control will involve officials from the Ministry of the Interior, the National Center for Protection of Infrastructures and Cybersecurity, and the Tax Administration. The day will conclude with a panel on digitalization and technology, featuring Indra, Brain and Code, and the Smart Ports chair from Jaume I University.
The congress will close on Thursday with a session dedicated to the social dimension of ports, which will address the future of maritime-port professions with experts from the National Institute of Public Administration, the Spanish Maritime Institute, Wista, and Randstad, and will present corporate social responsibility initiatives with the participation of Stella Maris, Mercy Ships, Costa Cruises, and the Social Institute of the Navy.
