ES Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
Spanish UN/LOCODE entries begin with the country prefix ES, followed by a three-character location identifier. For example, Valencia is represented in the indexed sample as ESVLC, while Algeciras is ESALG.
Seaports in Spain: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Spain has 167 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting container, ro-ro, bulk and transshipment flows between Europe, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and global trade lanes.
Use the port-code directory to verify UN/LOCODE records and compare Spain’s principal gateways before requesting a sea-freight quotation.
Spain Port Overview
Spain’s port system combines major container gateways on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts with island, ro-ro, energy, cruise and regional cargo facilities. The figures below separate Ecer Freight’s indexed coverage from official port-operating statistics.
167
Spain ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
~563 million tonnes
Port-system total cargo traffic, 2025; year-on-year change varies by port and cargo segment
Puertos del Estado · 2025 provisional statistics
~18.0 million TEU
Container traffic, 2025; approximately stable year on year on the national port-system basis
Puertos del Estado · 2025 provisional statistics
~4,700 berths
Commercial and port-system berths, latest published inventory; year-on-year change is not consolidated
Puertos del Estado · latest port inventory
How many seaports does Spain have?
Spain has 167 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its October 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage figure, not a claim that every facility has the same legal or operational status.
Which is Spain’s busiest container gateway?
Valencia, identified by UN/LOCODE ESVLC, is generally Spain’s leading container gateway by annual TEU volume, while Algeciras (ESALG) is a major Mediterranean transshipment hub.
Which regions handle Spain’s main cargo flows?
The main cargo clusters are the Mediterranean corridor around Valencia and Barcelona, the Strait of Gibraltar around Algeciras, and the northern Atlantic and Cantabrian coast around Bilbao, Vigo and Gijon.
Spain’s Leading Ports by Container Throughput
The table presents a practical 2025 comparison of the principal Spanish container and cargo gateways. World-rank positions are indicative placements in global container-port league tables and should be checked against the final source release.
Selected Spanish ports, 2025 container throughput
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~31 | Valencia | ESVLC | 5.66 | +3.3% | Western Mediterranean |
| ~35 | Algeciras | ESALG | 4.74 | +2.1% | Strait of Gibraltar |
| ~45 | Barcelona | ESBAR | 3.91 | +5.1% | Catalonia / Western Mediterranean |
| — | Bilbao | ESBIL | — | — | Cantabrian coast |
| — | Las Palmas | ESLPA | — | — | Canary Islands |
| — | Vigo | ESVIG | — | — | Galicia / Atlantic |
| — | Cadiz | ESCAD | — | — | Andalusia / Atlantic |
| — | Gijon | ESGIJ | — | — | Asturias / Cantabrian coast |
Spain Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Port selection usually depends on the origin or destination inland network, vessel rotation, cargo type, transshipment requirements and available rail or road connections.
Mediterranean Gateway Cluster
The Mediterranean coast is central to Spain’s containerized import, export and transshipment activity, with strong links to Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Mediterranean ports in the indexed sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia | ESVLC | Valencia / — | Containers, ro-ro, general cargo and vehicles |
| Barcelona | ESBAR | Barcelona / — | Containers, vehicles, project cargo and short-sea shipping |
| Murcia | ESMJV | Murcia / — | Regional cargo and Mediterranean distribution |
| Alicante | ESALC | Alicante / — | General cargo, containers and regional trade |
| Tarragona | ESTAR | Tarragona / — | Petrochemicals, dry bulk, project and general cargo |
| Castellon | ESCAS | Castellon / — | Ceramics, bulk and general cargo |
Atlantic and Cantabrian Cluster
Northern and western ports connect Spanish industrial regions with Atlantic Europe, the Americas and selected deep-sea services.
Atlantic and northern ports in the indexed sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilbao | ESBIL | Bilbao / — | Containers, steel, energy, project cargo and ro-ro |
| Vigo | ESVIG | Vigo / — | Vehicles, seafood, containers and general cargo |
| Cadiz | ESCAD | Cadiz / — | Ro-ro, general cargo, cruise and Atlantic services |
| Gijon | ESGIJ | Gijon / — | Dry bulk, steel, energy and industrial cargo |
| Marin | ESMAR | Marin / — | Fishing, forest products, bulk and general cargo |
| Huelva | ESHUE | Huelva / — | Energy, chemicals, bulk and industrial cargo |
Strait, Southern and Island Gateways
Southern and island ports serve transshipment, bunkering, regional distribution, tourism logistics and links between mainland Spain, North Africa and the Atlantic islands.
Southern and island ports in the indexed sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeciras | ESALG | Algeciras / — | Deep-sea containers, transshipment, ro-ro and bunkering |
| Las Palmas | ESLPA | Las Palmas / — | Transshipment, bunkering, containers and island supply |
| Malaga | ESMAL | — / — | Containers, ro-ro, cruise and regional cargo |
| Almeria | ESALM | Almeria / — | Bulk, agricultural exports, ro-ro and general cargo |
| Tenerife | ESTCI | Tenerife / — | Island supply, containers, ro-ro and cruise |
| Ceuta | ESCEU | Ceuta / — | Regional ro-ro, containers and essential supplies |
Spain Port Codes and UN/LOCODE Structure
UN/LOCODE records help carriers, forwarders, customs teams and logistics platforms identify transport locations consistently. A code should be checked against the current official directory and the actual carrier booking location.
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
A port code can identify a broader city or port area, while a booking may also require a terminal, depot, facility or inland location reference. The city name and terminal instructions should therefore be checked together before shipment release.
How to Verify a Spain Port Code
Compare the code with the UNECE UN/LOCODE directory, then cross-check the location in the Ecer Freight port-code directory and the carrier’s booking system.
Shipping from Spain: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative port-to-port ranges. Actual schedules depend on the sailing service, transshipment, equipment availability, seasonal congestion, customs procedures and final inland destination.
Spain to East Asia
Containerized exports and imports commonly move through Mediterranean gateways on services linking Spain with China, Southeast Asia, Korea and Japan.
Spain to Northern Europe
Short-sea and feeder services connect Spanish production and distribution centers with North Sea gateways and the wider European network.
Spain to North America
Atlantic and Mediterranean services support containerized trade with the United States, Canada and Mexico, often subject to service rotation and transshipment.
Spain to North Africa and the Middle East
Frequent short-sea and feeder connections serve Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Middle Eastern hubs, with strong ro-ro and regional distribution demand.
Sources and Methodology
This page distinguishes first-party indexed coverage from official operating statistics and indicative market comparisons. Port availability, schedules and throughput figures remain subject to source revisions.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 167 Spain ports and terminals in the October 2026 database snapshot.
- Puertos del Estado — Spanish port-system cargo and container statistics, including 2025 operating data and subsequent revisions.
- Spanish port throughput reference sources — comparative container-volume context; figures should be checked against port-authority releases.
- UNECE UN/LOCODE — country prefixes and transport-location code verification.
- Spanish port and logistics statistical references — supplementary trade and port-market context where available.
Spain Seaport FAQ
How many seaports does Spain have?
Spain has 167 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the October 2026 database snapshot. The figure describes database coverage and does not imply identical cargo capability at every location.
What is the largest or busiest port in Spain?
Valencia, code ESVLC, is generally Spain’s leading container port by annual TEU throughput. Algeciras, code ESALG, is also a major gateway and transshipment hub at the Strait of Gibraltar.
What is the UN/LOCODE format for Spain?
Spain uses the ES country prefix followed by a three-character location identifier. Examples in the indexed sample include ESVLC for Valencia, ESBAR for Barcelona and ESALG for Algeciras.
Which regions contain Spain’s main cargo ports?
The principal clusters are the Mediterranean coast, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts, and the Canary Islands. Port choice depends on the cargo, vessel rotation and inland delivery point.
How current are the Spain port statistics?
The Ecer Freight indexed-port snapshot is dated October 2026. The latest complete operating-statistics year used where available is 2025, while official agencies may later revise provisional figures.
Can a forwarder quote FCL or LCL freight from Spain?
Yes. A quotation normally requires the origin port or terminal, destination, cargo description, container or shipment dimensions, gross weight, Incoterms, ready date and any customs or special-handling requirements.
Are all indexed Spain locations deep-sea container ports?
No. The 167 indexed records can include commercial ports, regional facilities, island locations, inland logistics points and other transport locations. Deep-sea capability and carrier service availability must be confirmed for each shipment.
Editorial note: Spain port coverage is based on the Ecer Freight database snapshot reviewed in October 2026. Cargo, TEU and infrastructure figures are compiled from Spanish port-system and other public statistical references, with official data generally reviewed as new releases become available. Schedules, port calls, terminal restrictions and freight rates should be reconfirmed before booking.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Spain: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact