The Argentinian company PTP Group Logistics and China’s Cosco Shipping have teamed up in a joint venture that has been awarded the concession to operate the new terminal at the Port of Tarragona. This strategic alliance aims to turn the Andalucía Quay into a major connection hub on the logistics corridor between Latin America and Europe, in order to boost trade integration under the European Union-Mercosur agreement. It will also be connected to Asia.

The partners plan to invest around €117 million in a multi-purpose terminal that will house areas for containers, general cargo, vehicles and cold-chain logistics, as well as auxiliary facilities and a manoeuvring area. The bulk of the investment will be allocated to cranes and equipment. The project is expected to create between 150 and 180 direct skilled jobs during its operational phase.

Major port hub
PTP and Cosco have secured a 50-year concession for the Andalucía Quay, which covers more than 510,000 square metres, including the concession area and the La Boella rail terminal. The facility will start up in 2027, be fully operational by the end of 2028 and become the first major Euro-Mediterranean port hub under joint South American-Asian management.

The infrastructure will enjoy first-class intermodal transport, thanks to its direct European-gauge rail connection with Madrid, Catalonia, Northern Europe and Central Europe. It will have more than 1050 linear metres of berth frontage and a draught of 15 metres, making it easier to operate vessels of different sizes simultaneously.

Benchmark Mediterranean gateway
The president of Port Tarragona, Santiago J. Castellà, welcomed the arrival of Cosco and PTP, describing it as “a historic moment for the Port”, and explained, “Not only are we bringing container traffic back and expanding general cargo and vehicle movements, but we will also become one of the leading gateways to the Mediterranean for traffic from China and the Far East, as well as from Latin America.”

Cosco Shipping Ports operates 50 terminals worldwide, while Cosco Shipping Bulk, also participating in the agreement, claims to have the world’s largest fleet of dry bulk carriers, with more than 500 vessels. They are aiming to make the new Tarragona terminal one of their base ports in the Mediterranean. PTP, which arrived in Europe in 2022 with the construction of two docks at La Cabezuela harbour in the Port of Cádiz, will complement the project with its expertise in port operations, integrated logistics and refrigerated cargo.

^{Photo: PTP Group Logistics}