- First phase of Raos 8 berth construction at Santander Port proceeds on schedule, focusing on roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) traffic.
- The new quay features wider ramps and expanded staging areas to reduce berthing times, with operational costs estimated at €3,000 per hour of delay.
- If the second phase is completed by 2027, annual ro-ro capacity could double from 400,000 to 800,000 units, strengthening Santander’s position against rival ports Bilbao, Gijón, and Avilés.
The Port Authority of Santander has confirmed that the first phase of the Raos 8 berth development is advancing on schedule. This investment prioritises improved access for ro-ro traffic and industrial vehicles, a key segment for maritime trade along Spain’s northern coast. With ro-ro traffic in the Cantabrian Sea growing 7% in 2023 to 1.2 million units, the project aims to capture a larger share of the market.
Context and Background
Santander has historically been a major logistics node for ro-ro traffic—where trucks drive on and off vessels—alongside significant solid and liquid bulk operations. The Raos 8 project is part of the port’s master plan to ease congestion at existing berths and attract new ferry services. The first phase includes dredging and construction of a new quay with depths accommodating vessels up to 10 metres.
In-Depth Technical Analysis
1. Capacity for Ro-Ro Traffic
The new berth is specifically designed to facilitate truck manoeuvres, with wider ramps and enlarged staging areas that cut berthing and unberthing times. For ferry operators, every hour of waiting at port can cost up to €3,000, so these improvements directly enhance operational efficiency.
2. Competition in the Cantabrian Sea
Santander competes directly with Bilbao, Gijón, and Avilés for ro-ro traffic. Data from Puertos del Estado shows that ro-ro traffic in the region grew by 7% in 2023, reaching 1.2 million units. Raos 8 allows Santander to offer more simultaneous berthing lines, a critical factor for winning new routes.
3. Infrastructure for Industrial Vehicles
The works include upgraded land access from the S-20 motorway, with dedicated lorry lanes. This reduces urban congestion and speeds up cargo handling, a feature highly valued by freight forwarders and logistics operators.
Concrete Operational Implications
For ships’ masters and deck officers, the new berth’s orientation provides more predictable berthing manoeuvres with fewer wind and current restrictions. Ship agents benefit from improved scheduling capacity without overlaps. Ferry operators serving the UK, Ireland, and northern Europe find Santander a competitive alternative to French ports, especially post-Brexit, as customs checks at Dover and Calais have extended transit times.
Impact on the Labour Market
The port expansion drives demand for skilled professionals. The Port Authority of Santander expects to create 150 direct permanent jobs during the new berth’s operational phase, plus temporary construction roles. Specific roles include:
- Pilots experienced in manoeuvring large ro-ro vessels.
- Crane and port machinery operators for the new terminal.
- Port logistics technicians specialising in berth planning and ro-ro traffic management.
Macro Context
The Raos 8 investment occurs amid a reconfiguration of North Atlantic trade routes. The war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia have shifted cargo flows toward southern European ports. Additionally, the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) for shipping, effective from 2024, encourages shorter routes, benefiting Cantabrian ports over those in northern Europe. Santander also plans a dual-gauge railway link (Iberian and European) to connect with central Spain, aiming to become a multimodal logistics centre.
Outlook
If the second phase completes as scheduled in 2027, Raos 8 could double Santander’s annual ro-ro capacity from 400,000 to 800,000 units. This would position the port to attract new regular services, especially with Ireland and western France. However, success hinges on the port authority maintaining competitive tariffs and completing the rail connections. Without efficient hinterland links, the new infrastructure risks underutilisation.
Editorial Note: This article has been professionally adapted from Spanish to British English
for the WishToSail.com international maritime audience. Original article published at
QuieroNavegar.app.
