La Spezia port in Italy handled 6.24 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026, marking a 2.0% year-on-year increase. The surge in transshipment traffic contributed significantly, with a 65.5% rise, according to the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ligure Orientale (AdSPMLO).

Transshipment Growth

The sharp increase in transshipment traffic, despite lower import-export volumes, has driven container growth at La Spezia. The AdSPMLO reported a 65.5% jump in transshipment, highlighting the port's role as a transshipment hub.

Overall Cargo Figures

The total cargo throughput at La Spezia reached 6.24 million tonnes, up 2.0% from the same period in 2025. General cargo also saw an increase, though specific numbers were not provided in the excerpt.

For context, Tunisia’s seaports handled 14.8 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026, a 7.3% rise from the same period in 2025. According to the Office de la Marine Marchande et des Ports (OMMP), imports accounted for 9.6 million tonnes, indicating a significant uptick in overall cargo volumes across the country's ports.

Genoa's Container Gateway

The Ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado handled 31.1 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026, marking a 1.9% decrease compared to the same period last year. Despite the overall decline, container gateway traffic increased by 1.6%, contributing to the port's cargo volumes.

Conventional cargo volumes provided context to the overall cargo statistics but were not detailed in the excerpt. The increase in container traffic and the transshipment surge at La Spezia suggest a strengthening of regional logistics networks.

Barcelona's Cargo Growth

The Port of Barcelona handled 41.7 million tonnes of cargo through July 2026, up 2% from the same period in 2025. Growth was recorded across all traffic categories, with solid bulk and vehicle traffic posting the strongest gains at 5.3% and 4.6% respectively. Container traffic contributed to the overall increase.

This data points to sustained cargo movement in the region, with La Spezia, Genoa, and Barcelona all demonstrating positive trends in different segments of the cargo market. The rise in transshipment at La Spezia, in particular, reflects a shift in regional logistics strategy.

What this means for operators

The increases in transshipment and container gateway traffic at La Spezia, along with the overall cargo growth at Genoa and Barcelona, indicate strong demand for port services in the region. Ship operators should consider La Spezia as a strategic transshipment hub, especially for container traffic, as the port's traffic statistics suggest a favorable environment for transshipment operations.

Operators looking to optimize their routes and expand their service offerings may find La Spezia and the broader Mediterranean region attractive due to the increasing cargo volumes and the diverse traffic categories, including solid bulk and vehicles. The trends suggest a positive outlook for regional ports in the near term.