We live in a globalized and interconnected world. The goods that we buy in different parts of the planet are constantly moving to reach their destination, and the most efficient and sustainable way of transporting these goods is by sea.
Every year, more than 800 million container movements (20 feet) are registered in all the ports of the world, to provide service to the more than 5,000 ships that transport 20 million containers on all seas. In a global world, the role of container terminals, that is, an intermodal platform where the different means of transport within the logistics chain are connected, is essential.
Against this background, Hutchison Ports BEST, located in the Port of Barcelona, stands as the benchmark container terminal in the Mediterranean. Through this terminal it is possible to exchange goods in Barcelona. BEST is not only one of the most modern, efficient and sustainable terminals in Europe, but it is also considered a benchmark in the sector. BEST is part of the Hutchison Ports group, the largest port operator in the world, is present in 54 ports in 25 countries, and is the group's first semi-automated terminal and the most technologically advanced port development project in the Mediterranean. In addition, it is on the list of the most sustainable port facilities in the entire industry.
In 2022, BEST handled more than 2.5 million TEUs (equivalent to a 20-foot container). A differential feature of Hutchison Ports BEST in its multimodal offer is its rail terminal, the largest in the Mediterranean within a port. The railway facility connects daily maritime traffic with the main markets of Spain and the south of France through a unique infrastructure of 8 tracks, each 750 meters long.
The railway offer allows BEST users to increase their market in the medium and long distance, through greater efficiency and speed, and in a sustainable way. The rail movements carried out in 2021 managed to eliminate 135,000 truck trips from the road and save 37,614 tons of CO2 emissions. Currently, Hutchison Ports BEST has built an extension of 80 hectares, which will increase to 90 after the expansion works that will end in 2024. The total extension of the BEST terminal will exceed 130 hectares in the final phase of development. Most of its surface is dedicated to the storage and management of more than 2.5 million TEUs per year, which are exchanged with all parts of the world.
BEST today has a 1,500-meter-long dock with a 16.5-meter depth, which allows it to accommodate up to three mega-ships simultaneously. This length of the berthing line will be increased substantially in the final phase of project development. The loading and unloading of merchandise is carried out with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, in many cases 100% automated.
BEST has its own rail operator, Synergy, which offers port-to-door intermodal connections. Synergy is the railway operator with the greatest presence in the northern part of Spain. It proposes a range of personalized logistics and customs solutions through Cargo Solutions; and rail connections between the Port of Barcelona and southern Europe. Synergy's main objective is to encourage the use of rail to improve the logistics chain and reduce the carbon footprint. Thanks to the services offered, Synergy customers have managed to save more than 16,000 tons of CO2 in 2022.
Since its creation, Hutchison Ports BEST has been a benchmark for its service proposal in terms of efficiency, flexibility and innovation. BEST is one of the most productive terminals in the world. Its high efficiency is the result of its innovative design and responsible, safe and sustainable operations. Unloading rates are an essential key to intermodality. Being able to carry out port operations of more than 14,000 container movements in just over three days represents savings in port stay times, less fuel consumption to reach the next port on time and less need for ships to complete long-range routes.
This productivity put into practice in a sustainable way and the constant adaptation to customer needs (24/7 hours and a commitment to digitization and innovation) make the intermodal service offered by BEST an incomparable hallmark. Other differential values and activities are sustainability, digitization of part of the processes and CSR programs.
