The Port of Barcelona achieves a new record with the unprecedented growth in rail container traffic during the first six months of 2021. Specifically, the Barcelona infrastructure has accumulated a total movement of 161,735 units, 46% more than a year ago, when 111,132 were moved. This growth has led the rail share of containers to stand at 16.1% during the first half of the year, the highest figure in its entire history, thus allowing progress towards decarbonization.
This boost in rail transport for containers is explained by the commitment that large distribution companies and industrial companies are making to the transport of goods by train, both for imports and exports. Other factors that have influenced this include the good performance of refrigerated goods and the return to activity of the Pla de Vilanoveta (Lleida) terminal, thanks to APM Terminals Spain Railway.
Likewise, regarding the movement of vehicles by rail, traffic has been 113,326 units in the first six months of the year, a figure that represents an increase of 63% compared to the previous year. In this way, the train's share has stood at 42.25%. The continued growth of vehicle transport by train is in line with the progressive recovery of maritime car traffic, which has grown by 31% this first half of the year, after having been one of the sectors most affected by the impact of covid-19.
Another record achieved by the Port of Barcelona during this first half of the year has been in total train traffic. 1,059 circulations were achieved during the month of May, surpassing the historical maximum of monthly circulations, which was reached in July 2019 with 1,020 circulations. On the other hand, the total number of train circulations has stood at 5,729, a figure that represents an average of almost 1,000 each month. Compared to 2020, this represents a growth of 48%.