Activities
The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA), a public body attached to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, manages the ports of the Bay of Algeciras and Tarifa with legal personality, its own assets, and full capacity to act. Strategically located in the Strait of Gibraltar—at the crossroads of the world's main shipping routes—the Port of Algeciras has been recognized by the World Bank as the most efficient in Europe since 2020. This leadership places it in twentieth position globally and consolidates its national hegemony: in 2025, it handled almost a fifth of the goods in the Spanish port system. With 101.7 million tons handled that same year, it remains the fourth port in the European Union in terms of total traffic, exceeding the 100 million ton mark for the tenth consecutive year.
The activity linked to this traffic and the movement of goods makes these enclaves, through which more than 6 million passengers also pass annually, key drivers of the territory's economic and social development. In this context, the APBA is reinforcing its port-city integration policy, prioritizing quality of life and the preservation of the environment. This commitment materialized in 2021 with the Green Strategy of the Port of Algeciras, a cross-cutting framework that guides the transition towards a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive model, in which its ambitious Decarbonization Plan stands out. The roadmap for this strategy comprises up to 12 commitments aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the AIVP's 2030 Agenda, which are also certified by the AENOR Sustainable Strategy standard.
In addition, the institution is strengthening its environmental management systems in line with the most demanding international standards, such as UNE-EN ISO 14001, ESPO's PERS (Port Environmental Review System) and the EMAS Regulation. Examples of this vision are its comprehensive Plan for the Conservation and Enhancement of Historical Heritage and the implementation of the Algeciras Maritime Lake project, developed in conjunction with the Algeciras City Council. This comprehensive action will transform the coastline and the port-city façade into a scenic route linked to the water, which will also integrate the future Port Center and Port Museum.