Best-placed Spanish port · world rank
12th
Spanish ports in the world top 100
3 ports
Spanish ports assessed
17 ports
Edition
2025
What the data say · CPPI 2025
In the 2025 edition of the World Bank’s port efficiency index, Algeciras is the best-placed Spanish port, ranking 12th in the world (up 7 places on the previous edition). It is followed by Barcelona (34th), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (86th) and Las Palmas (139th).
3 of the 17 Spanish ports assessed are in the world’s top hundred. The index measures the total time a container ship spends in port, adjusted for ship size and moves: less time means a better position.
In the world ranking, the ports that gain the most places are Santa Cruz de Tenerife (+134), Gijón (+97) and Castellón (+69); those that lose the most, Ferrol (−201), Huelva (−109) and Sagunto (−89).
The rest of the top ten are Las Palmas (4th, 139th), Málaga (5th, 140th), Arrecife de Lanzarote (6th, 158th), Castellón (7th, 168th), Gijón (8th, 178th), Cádiz (9th, 194th) and Sevilla (10th, 223rd).
Top 10 · Spanish ports in the CPPI 2025
What this indicator measures
The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence measures each year the time a container ship spends in each port, from arrival at anchorage to departure, adjusted for ship size and number of moves. The less time, the better the position. It is the only global port efficiency ranking comparable across more than 400 ports.
Full table · 17 ports
| # | Ports | World rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeciras | 12th | 121.9 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 34th | 86 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 86th | 30.2 |
| 4 | Las Palmas | 139th | 11.3 |
| 5 | Málaga | 140th | 11.1 |
| 6 | Arrecife de Lanzarote | 158th | 7.2 |
| 7 | Castellón | 168th | 5.6 |
| 8 | Gijón | 178th | 4.2 |
| 9 | Cádiz | 194th | 2.7 |
| 10 | Sevilla | 223rd | -2 |
| 11 | Vigo | 224th | -2.1 |
| 12 | Alicante | 237th | -4.1 |
| 13 | Sagunto | 245th | -5.6 |
| 14 | Huelva | 296th | -17.7 |
| 15 | Valencia | 368th | -75.8 |
| 16 | Ferrol | 378th | -116.6 |
| 17 | Bilbao | 385th | -149.5 |
Context
Ports in East Asia and the Middle East occupy the top positions. Algeciras is usually Spain’s best-placed port and one of the best in Europe; Valencia, Barcelona and Las Palmas vary from one edition to the next. The index is sensitive to congestion and strikes, so a single bad year can cost dozens of places.
Frequently asked questions
Which is Spain’s most efficient port according to the World Bank?
Algeciras, ranked 12th in the CPPI 2025.
Which three Spanish ports are best placed?
Algeciras (12th), Barcelona (34th) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (86th) in the CPPI 2025.
When is this data updated?
World Bank and S&P Global (CPPI) publish one edition a year. Latest data available: CPPI 2025.
Source
World Bank and S&P Global (CPPI). To explore the data in detail, use Port Efficiency or see the original source.