The Port of Barcelona positions itself as the best logistics option in southern Europe and the Mediterranean for Korean companies

“Our advanced logistics services, our direct rail connections with the heart of Europe, unique in the Iberian Peninsula, our customer orientation and the exclusive logistics platform for Korean companies that we launch today make us, without a doubt, the best logistics option for Korean companies in southern Europe and the Mediterranean.” The resounding statement came from President of the Port of Barcelona Damià Calvet at today's opening ceremony of the Port Summit Korea 2021, where Mr Calvet was accompanied by the President of the Port of Busan, Kang Joon Suk; the Deputy Director of the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Su-yeon Kim; the Spanish Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Juan Ignacio Morro; the Secretary General of the Department of Vice-presidency and Digital Policies and Territory of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Ricard Font; and the Commissioner for Promotion of Barcelona, Pau Solanilla.

Mr Calvet assured Korean companies importing and exporting through the Port of Barcelona that they can count on “the most economically, environmentally and socially sustainable logistics chains, and also the most competitive”, in line with “our mission, which is none other than to generate prosperity in the community by increasing our customers’ competitiveness through the efficient and sustainable provision of logistics and transport services”.

The Port of Barcelona strives to be Korean companies’ logistics ally for foreign trade between Korea and the Iberian Peninsula, something completely natural considering that, in value terms, currently 34% of all maritime cargo between the Asian country and Spain passes through the Catalan hub.

Mr Calvet pointed out that “customer orientation has been a clear commitment of the Port of Barcelona for years. We adapt to your needs in transparency, information, traceability of goods, agility, price and reduction of the carbon footprint of logistics chains”. Added to those considerations is the enclave’s importance as an intermodal node for foreign trade and a gateway for European exports to other destinations , such as Asia. “We are also the logistics ally in Europe of foreign companies such as those in Korea, facilitating their entry into the EU, the market with the most purchasing power in the world, with more than 500 million consumers.”

The strategic location of the Port of Barcelona has been key in making the logistics platform with the Port of Busan a reality, an interesting “collaboration between port authorities to connect South-East Asia and southern Europe and to support companies that want to trade”, explained the president of the Korean enclave during his speech at the opening ceremony of the Port Summit. By Kang Joon Suk's lights, “now is a very opportune time to open this platform and exchange knowledge and seek innovations, both in customs and logistics, among other aspects.”

In that connection, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea underscored her conviction that this Port Summit Korea 2021 “will propel the exchange between our companies and ports” and highlighted the significant role of logistics in the international context. “Logistics are the basis of global economic development. For Korea, maritime logistics are very important and are key to our growth”, said Su-yeon Kim.

Bilateral relations

Korea and Spain are two powerful economies at similar levels internationally: Korea is the tenth richest country in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while Spain ranks 14th. However, trade relations between the two countries, as well as reciprocal investments, still have a long way to go. “Make no mistake, the time has come to mark a turning point in our bilateral relations”, insisted Juan Ignacio Morro during his speech.

The Spanish ambassador to Korea admitted that “we need to improve our business presence in Korea” and asserted that “Catalonia is a fantastic option in this regard”. Both Korea and Spain have invested in environmental sustainability and technology to transform their economy, and concrete plans are being developed to provide opportunities to companies. “The collaboration agreements between the ports of Busan and Barcelona are a superb example of this trend”, he ambassador concluded.

The Secretary General of the Vice-presidency and Digital Policies and Territory of the Generalitat de Catalunya agreed with Mr Morro on the importance of technology for economic development, adding that Catalonia and Korea “share business values of innovation, entrepreneurship and desire for global opening” and making assurances that this country “is a benchmark economy for us”. Mr Font recalled that “we are facing a very serious climate emergency; it is one of the main challenges that we face as a society” and stressed that “the Port of Barcelona has defined a very clear sustainability strategy”.

The Barcelona Commissioner for Promotion, for his part, highlighted work underway “to restore the six weekly direct Barcelona-Korea flights that we had before the pandemic” because direct connection to a key economic zone is vital to strengthening trade relations. That air connection, together with the alliances that the Port of Barcelona is forging with Korea, will cement the relationship with this South-East Asian country and expand it with new horizons and new challenges.