Santander port has achieved its best October in history, recording a total traffic of 6,066,071 tonnes in 2026. Both general cargo and solid bulk goods have shown sustained growth, reinforcing the positive trend in port activity.
César Díaz, president of the Port Authority of Santander (Autoridad Portuaria de Santander, APS), stated, “This double milestone encourages us to continue working and highlights the port's capacity to grow and face new challenges.”
From January to October 2026, cargo traffic at the port increased by 2% compared to the same period in the previous year, reaching 6,066,071 tonnes, marking the highest cumulative traffic in the history of the Cantabrian infrastructure. October alone set a new record with 704,345 tonnes, a 7.3% increase from October 2025.
Díaz described these results as “extraordinary,” adding that they “encourage us to keep working and demonstrate the port's ability to grow and tackle new challenges.” He assured that this sustained growth is not a result of a one-off circumstance, but rather the outcome of ongoing efforts and a strategy that is proving effective.
“Together with the port community, we are ensuring that the port gains activity, operational capacity, and competitiveness, solidifying its position as a logistics reference in northern Spain,” he noted. He also stressed the importance of preparing the port for the future by anticipating customer needs and enhancing infrastructure and services to maintain this growth.
Significant projects are underway, including the expansion of the vertical car silo, the Raos 6 and Raos 8 docks, and urban access to the port, funded by resources generated from the port's own activities. Additionally, the Investment Plan includes public-private initiatives worth €245 million until 2030.
“We are pleased with these results, but what truly matters is our ability to turn these figures into a lasting trend,” he concluded, noting that “every new shipment and every company that trusts our facilities contributes to generating activity, business opportunities, and employment for Cantabria.”
Traffic data for January-October 2026
With two months remaining in the year, the cumulative traffic at Santander port reached 6,066,071 tonnes by October, reflecting a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. During this timeframe, general cargo, which accounts for 52.3% of total traffic, increased by 1.9%, while solid bulk goods rose by 2.5%. However, liquid bulk goods saw a decline of 5.2%, representing only 2.9% of the port's total cargo.
Notably, container traffic reached 143,075 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), a 6.3% increase compared to January-October 2025. Additionally, cruise traffic recorded 36 calls, up from 20 in 2025, resulting in a 76% increase in passenger numbers, rising from 29,862 in 2025 to 52,511 this year.
October 2026 traffic data
October 2026 yielded particularly strong results, with 704,345 tonnes handled, a 7.3% increase compared to October 2025, making it the best month in the port's history. Solid bulk goods reached 343,167 tonnes, a 22.5% increase from the same month last year, while liquid bulk goods totalled 21,868 tonnes, up 41.2%. In contrast, general cargo experienced a 6% decline compared to October of the previous year.
