The Port of Castellon returns to Cevisama to support its strategic alliance with the ceramic industry

PortCastelló recorded all-time highs in rebates in 2022

The Port of Castellon has returned to Cevisama, the international ceramic, bathroom equipment and natural stone trade fair, to support its strategic alliance with the ceramic industry, after the hiatus brought by the pandemic. It is participating in this event, from 27 February to 3 March, with the main objective of showing operators and companies the advantages of using the port as a logistics platform and hub for imports and exports.

PortCastelló has brought together its Port Community in Cevisama, an event which the Chairman of the Port Authority, Rafa Simó, and its Director, José María Gómez, have taken advantage of to explain the progress in the infrastructure that is set to improve connectivity at the Port of Castellon, such as the road connection between docks, and the rail access to the port and the intermodal station, which will enable part of the ceramic industry’s cargo that is currently moved by lorry to be transported by train.

They also presented the Octopus project which is being rolled out in the South Dock. This initiative will provide almost a million square metres of land for new companies and industries to set up business, expanding the  opportunities available in the port facilities. In addition, they announced that they are working to secure new shipping connections, as these bring a competitive advantage for the sector and will improve the industry’s export figures through PortCastelló.

PortCastelló combines these new developments with the best environmental practices to guarantee the sustainability of port activity and balance the economic development of the port and its environment with the wellbeing of local citizens.

In addition, Rafa Simó referred to the Digital Transformation Plan promoted by the Port Authority of Castellon, which aims “to adapt to the latest processes and trends in the port industry, be more competitive, and offer better services to our Port Community”.

In terms of innovation, the PortCastelló Chairman highlighted the fact that three of the 19 projects approved in the first Ports 4.0 call for proposals are from Castellon. The Ports 4.0 capital fund is the corporate open-innovation model adopted by the State-owned Ports Body and Spanish port authorities to attract, support and facilitate the deployment of talent and entrepreneurship in the Spanish public and private logistics-port sector in the context of the 4th industrial revolution.

During the presentation, the firm commitment of the private sector to PortCastelló was underlined, as reflected in the work that the Noatum and Terminal Marítima del Grau terminals have already begun on the Ceramics Quay, with capital injections of €36 million. These investments will serve to bring improvements in environmental protection, infrastructures and high-performance mechanical and unloading equipment to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

It should be remembered that the Port of Castellon has consolidated its position as the ninth-ranked Spanish port. Moreover, 2022 was the third best year in its history in terms of total goods traffic, with a throughput of almost 21 million tonnes. Ceramic industry traffic accounted for 37% of this total, which in 2022 amounted to 7,722,401 tonnes. Of these, 6,540,700 tonnes were imports (mainly feldspar, clays and kaolin) and the rest, a total of 1,181,701 tonnes, were exports (mainly tiles, kaolin and glass frits).

Furthermore, the Port Authority of Castellon approved correction coefficients and rebates worth €2.8 million in 2022 to boost the competitiveness of its customers. Specifically, the rebates for the ceramic industry amounted to €655,544 in 2022, up 22.4% on the previous year. This is the result of PortCastelló doubling the rebate for shipments of tiles, glass frits, pigments and glazes, from 20% to 40% in 2022.

Rafa Simó also highlighted the improvements in authorisation procedures which help us to “offer the flexibility our solid bulk customers need”.

Finally, he pointed out that “the ceramic industry needs swift, practical help” following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis, which have led to a global drop in demand.