The 1st National Port Congress concludes with a roadmap to strengthen the competitiveness of a sector “strategic for Spain”
The President of Puertos del Estado, Gustavo Santana, stated at the closing ceremony the willingness to continue working “to strengthen the Spanish port system as an economic driver, a strategic logistics hub and a benchmark in innovation and sustainability.”
Among the priorities are advancing digitalisation—through a Digitalisation Plan that Puertos del Estado is promoting together with the Port Authorities—and further promoting sustainability.
Strengthening public-private collaboration and reviewing the regulatory framework are also “areas to which we are fully committed.”
05-03-2026 (Puertos del Estado). The 1st National Port Sector Congress concluded today with a roadmap to “continue working with all stakeholders to strengthen the Spanish port system as an economic driver, a strategic logistics hub and a benchmark in innovation and sustainability at both the European and international levels,” highlighted the President of Puertos del Estado, Gustavo Santana, when presenting the conclusions.
“The success of this Congress—both in terms of the number of participants and the quality of the round tables and conferences—confirms the need within the sector for a global forum that brings together the entire community and where all the challenges shaping the present and the future of a sector that is strategic for Spain can be discussed,” Santana added. Over the course of three days, and before an audience of more than 650 attendees, more than 50 speakers and experts addressed the challenges and opportunities facing the port and logistics sector at a time of significant global uncertainty.
“During this Congress, the importance of digitalisation as a competitiveness factor has been highlighted. At Puertos del Estado, we are promoting a Digitalisation Plan together with the Port Authorities. Regarding decarbonisation—another key topic of the Congress—we are collaborating with various stakeholders (Red Eléctrica, public administrations, electricity companies, among others) to ensure that the deployment of OPS (Onshore Power Supply) is technically and economically viable,” explained the President of the public body.
Strengthening public-private collaboration is another of the priorities emerging from the Congress. “Reinforcing this partnership, which is the foundation of the state-owned port model, is essential to maintain competitiveness. In addition, the investment interest in our ports has been evident, which clearly demonstrates the strength of and confidence in the Spanish port system. Puertos del Estado will continue to support and facilitate these processes,” Santana added.
Another key objective is to work towards greater administrative agility and a review of the regulatory framework. “The Spanish Parliament is currently reviewing the Consolidated Text of the Law on State Ports and the Merchant Navy, in line with European guidelines on the matter and with the implementation of the Sustainable Mobility Law approved last year. In addition, the drafting of the Operating Regulations is already underway,” he noted.
The 1st National Port Sector Congress has been conceived with a view to continuity, and the President of Puertos del Estado invited attendees to reconvene for the second edition in two years’ time.