Mercè Conesa: “The new Strategic Framework of the Port System is essential in order to continue creating prosperity"

During her speech celebrating the 150th anniversary of the infrastructure yesterday, Mercè Conesa, President of the Port of Barcelona, asked Puertos del Estado to speed up approval of the new Strategic Framework of the Port System which they are preparing because this tool is "fundamental to our ability to continue creating prosperity", which is the great challenge facing ports. The President of the Port of Barcelona pointed out that we need "a new governance model that will allow us to have the same tools as other European ports."

Mercè Conesa acknowledged that "creating prosperity is more easily said than done but, in our opinion, there are a number of premises that will be essential for the future", such as: a fast and efficient connection with the hinterland to respond to the needs of the logistics chain; addressing energy transition; facing up to digital transition as a disruptive element of service improvement and "working in consensus with the Port Community and in harmony with the area in which we are located".

In accordance with these premises, the Port of Barcelona is working to create its new rail and road land accesses "which are so long overdue", and has launched the process for the electrification of wharves, the introduction of renewable energy and the use of environmentally-friendly fuels, apart from working in the field of digitalisation to become a smart port.

Mercè Conesa took advantage of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Port of Barcelona to request dialogue as a way to overcome the current "political and socially complex situation. We would have liked this event to be held in a context of greater political and social harmony. Because the event that we are commemorating today was precisely the result of dialogue: the birth of the Port Works Committe".

In a ceremony for memory and acknowledgement, like the one held yesterday, there were many words of thanks to everyone who helped the Port of Barcelona to become what it is today - a port that is a real economic driver, handling "25% of Spain's maritime foreign trade and 74% of Catalonia's". Each year, the Port of Barcelona receives "more than 9,000 ships from the most far-flung places on the planet, such as Jakarta, Shanghai or Veracruz. Furthermore there are over one hundred regular lines operated by more than 50 shipping companies that connect us with 210 ports from all the continents" recalled the President.

Mercè Conesa also expressed support "for everyone who suffered the consequences of the severe storm that has shaken Catalonia over the last few hours".

The President of the Port of Barcelona ended her speech by encouraging all who are part of the Port Community to set off on "the path before us, a journey that will doubtless be strewn with obstacles, but also with enriching challenges that we face with enthusiasm, with work, with perseverance and with a vision of the future, safe in the knowledge that we will achieve our goals and fulfil our duty to society".

Among the authorities in attendance at the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Port of Barcelona, held at the Palau de la Música Catalana, were Teresa Cunillera, the Government delegate for Catalonia; Damià Calvet, regional minister for Territory and Sustainability; Jordi Puigneró, advisor on Digital Policies and Public Administration; Jaume Collboni, first Deputy Mayor of Economy, Labour and Competitiveness of Barcelona City Council; Albert Batlle, fifth deputy mayor for Prevention and Security of Barcelona City Council; Magec Montesdeoca, corporate director of Puertos del Estado; José Montilla and Artur Mas, former presidents of the Generalitat de Catalunya, as well as several consuls and representatives from different countries.

The celebration was attended by over 600 people including a great many representatives from the Port Community of Barcelona, stevedoring companies, Customs, shipping and forwarding companies, and the representatives of the stevedores and staff of Barcelona Port Authority, all of whom were thanked for their work over these 150 years with a series of commemorative plaques that were handed over during the event.