Large car carrier ships like the Anji Ansheng, capable of holding 9,500 cars, have recently docked in Tarragona. These vessels, designed for exporting automobiles manufactured in China, highlight the city's growing role in the logistics of electric mobility towards the European market.
Port officials celebrate its role as a "strategic logistics hub in the Mediterranean for the import of Asian vehicles." This position is built on a long tradition, as the Port was the entry point for Korean vehicles into the peninsula for over 30 years, an experience that now facilitates the arrival of Chinese traffic.
In the last five years, Chinese vehicle imports at the Port of Tarragona have grown from being negligible to holding the third position in the import car ranking. While just over 1,000 units were received in 2022, last year the figure reached 40,544, nearly tripling the 16,006 from 2024.
From January to July this year, out of 103,759 imported units, Korea (45,631) still leads, but China (21,218) has entered the podium. The Chinese brand MG leads the Chinese brands with 13,034 units, ranking third overall, behind the Korean brands Kia and Hyundai.
The perception of reliability for Chinese vehicles has significantly changed. According to Raúl Morales of the dealership association, "a few years ago, we were talking about a very dubious product, but that has changed." He highlights their competitiveness in quality and technology, with a market penetration of 13%, driven by "very aggressive commercial action" and the Spanish market's price sensitivity.
For the Port of Tarragona, vehicle traffic is "one of the pillars of its diversification strategy." The Anfac association has recognized it as a leader in vehicle entry and exit operations, an endorsement that strengthens its image with Chinese firms as a prepared port with "excellent connections".
The future alliance between Cosco and PTP to operate the multipurpose terminal at Muelle de Andalucía promises a new qualitative leap, expanding logistics capacity and reinforcing Tarragona's relevance as a hub for Asian vehicles. Experts like Cristian Castillo note that brands such as BYD can offer vehicles at half the price, breaking down prejudices about "made in China".
