Speaking during a trade mission to Cairo and Alexandria, Ibáñez said around 20 percent of bilateral trade between Spain and Egypt currently passes through PortCastelló, highlighting the port's growing role in facilitating trade between the two countries.
He said the Spanish delegation's visit aims to strengthen the longstanding economic relationship between Spain and Egypt by expanding cooperation in maritime transport, logistics, and port services, while exploring new partnerships with Egyptian companies.
Ibáñez highlighted several incentives offered by PortCastelló to Egyptian exporters, including a 40 percent discount on container handling tariffs, as well as streamlined customs and logistics procedures designed to reduce transit times and facilitate the movement of goods between Egypt and Spain.
He added that PortCastelló is connected to nearly 100 countries worldwide, with Egypt ranking as its ninth-largest trading partner. Around one million tons of cargo were transported between Egypt and the Spanish port in 2025, reflecting the continued growth of bilateral trade.
Looking ahead, Ibáñez expressed confidence that the current trade mission would pave the way for stronger cooperation with Egyptian companies and further expand maritime and logistics links between the two countries.
The remarks came during a business event hosted by the Spanish embassy in Cairo, which brought together representatives from PortCastelló and Egyptian public and private sector organizations to explore new opportunities for cooperation in maritime transport, logistics, and bilateral trade.
The event formed part of a trade mission by a delegation from the Port of Castellón to Cairo and Alexandria aimed at strengthening economic relations between Spain and Egypt while promoting PortCastelló as a strategic logistics gateway for Egyptian exports to European and international markets.
Opening the event, Enrique Verdeguer, Spain’s economic and commercial counsellor at the Spanish embassy in Cairo, highlighted the steady expansion of economic and trade relations between the two countries and stressed the importance of strengthening logistics connectivity to support growing commercial exchange.
The event was attended by Rubén Ibáñez, president of the Port Authority of Castellón; Manuel José García, director and CEO of PortCastelló; Joaquín Andrés, head of internationalization at the Castellón Chamber of Commerce; Adolfo Nouero Rodríguez, head of commercial and business development; Susana Soria, managing director; and other Spanish and Egyptian business representatives.
The programme also included business-to-business meetings between the Spanish delegation and Egyptian exporters, shipping companies, and logistics providers to discuss potential partnerships and ways to facilitate trade.
Located in Spain’s Valencian Community, PortCastelló handles more than 20 million tons of cargo annually and offers direct maritime connections to Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.
With bilateral trade between Spain and Egypt approaching 4 billion euros, participants stressed the importance of strengthening maritime connectivity to support further trade growth.
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