Port of Algeciras shipping means using one of Spain's busiest ports and one of the largest transshipment hubs in the Mediterranean, on the Bay of Algeciras at the Strait of Gibraltar. From January to September 2026 the port handled 76.3 million tonnes and 3.57 million TEU, and about 78% of its container activity was international transshipment. This guide covers the terminals, reefer and border checks, dangerous goods admission, a short summary of EU customs, and how we ship your cargo from Dubai to Algeciras. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Algeciras and from Algeciras to Dubai.
Port of Algeciras guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port authority | Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) |
| Ports managed | Algeciras, Campamento, Guadarranque and Tarifa |
| UN/LOCODE | ESALG |
| Location | Western shore of the Bay of Algeciras, Cadiz province, Andalusia, at the Strait of Gibraltar |
| Quays | Over 10 km across several basins |
| Main container terminals | APM Terminals Algeciras (Juan Carlos I quay) and TTI Algeciras (Isla Verde Exterior) |
| Traffic, January to September 2026 | 76,251,629 tonnes and 3,566,055 TEU |
| Share of container activity that is transshipment | About 78% (2,778,151 TEU in international transit) |
| Import and export TEU, January to September 2026 | 254,550 import, 226,665 export |
| Ro-Ro to North Africa | 398,323 trucks in nine months, 93.6% on the Tanger Med route |
| Border control post | Next to APM Terminals, EU-approved for all product types and live animals |
| Pilotage | Compulsory |
| Customs | Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) under EU customs law |
| Import VAT (Spain) | 21% standard, 10% reduced, 4% super-reduced |
| Shipping to Dubai | EU export declaration in the AEAT's AES by the shipper or its representative; arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah |
Where is the Port of Algeciras and why does it matter?
Algeciras sits on the western shore of the Bay of Algeciras in southern Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar is about 14 km wide at its narrowest point, and Tanger Med in Morocco lies on the other side. The port sits right on the main east-west sailing line between Asia, the Mediterranean and northern Europe, so big container lines can call without a detour.
That position explains how the port works. Most boxes landed at Algeciras are moved to another ship, not trucked into Spain. In the first nine months of 2026, international transit made up 2.78 million of the 3.57 million TEU. Import and export boxes together were just over 480,000 TEU.
A simple rule follows from this. If your cargo is for southern Spain, Gibraltar-area industry or onward Ro-Ro to North Africa, Algeciras is a natural discharge port. If your consignee is in Madrid, Valencia or Catalonia, compare Algeciras with a port closer to the door before you book.
Which terminals does the Port of Algeciras have?
Algeciras has two large container terminals, a smaller container and Ro-Ro terminal at Isla Verde, a reefer terminal, liquid bulk jetties, a Ro-Ro and ferry complex and a fishing wharf. The terminal on your bill of lading decides where your truck goes.
APM Terminals Algeciras
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Location | Juan Carlos I quay |
| Area | 68 hectares |
| Berth length | 2,124 m |
| Depth alongside | 14 m to 16 m |
| Quay cranes | 19, including ten super post-Panamax |
| Yard cranes | 64 rubber-tyred gantry cranes |
| Ship size | Ultra-large container ships of more than 20,000 TEU |
| Lines listed by the terminal | Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, CMA CGM, ONE, COSCO, Maersk, Arkas Line, APL |
APM Terminals runs online import availability checks, container status timelines and a truck appointment system. Book the truck slot before the box is free to collect, or you may wait a day for the next one.
TTI Algeciras
Total Terminal International (TTI) Algeciras opened in 2010 on reclaimed land at Isla Verde Exterior and was the first semi-automated container terminal in the Mediterranean. Port directories list about 29.3 hectares and two quays of 650 m and 550 m. A 2011 port handbook gave 18.5 m of water alongside and automated stacking cranes in the yard.
Isla Verde container, Ro-Ro and reefer terminal
The Isla Verde terminal has an 846 m wharf with 14.5 m depth for containers and Ro-Ro on about 18 hectares. Next to it, the Algeciras Reefer terminal has 20,000 cubic metres of cold storage and 14 loading platforms. This matters if you ship fruit, fish or other chilled cargo that needs inspection and cold storage before delivery.
Liquid bulk, dry bulk and Ro-Ro
- Liquid bulk. A refinery jetty of 1,600 m takes tankers of up to 320,000 DWT. Liquid bulk was 21.8 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2026.
- Dry bulk. A small trade, mainly coal and minerals, of about 196,000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2026.
- Ro-Ro. Truck and trailer ferries run to Tanger Med and Ceuta. A newer Ro-Ro terminal works at Isla Verde Exterior.
Border control post: food, plants and animal products
Algeciras has an EU-approved border control post next to APM Terminals that can inspect all product types and live animals. It has more than 1,000 square metres for plant products, 1,300 square metres for products of animal origin and 460 square metres for live animals.
If you ship food, plants or animal products from the UAE, the importer must notify the border control post in advance with a CHED, and the goods must arrive with the right health or phytosanitary certificates. The check runs alongside customs. A missing certificate is the most common reason chilled cargo sits in the reefer stack.
Vessel limits and port operations
These limits matter mainly if you charter a vessel for bulk or project cargo. Container lines check them for their own ships.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Container ships | LOA 397 m, draft 15.4 m, 158,000 DWT |
| Largest ship recorded | LOA 400 m, draft 16.6 m |
| Refinery jetty | Tankers up to 320,000 DWT |
| Channel depth | 14 m to 15.2 m |
| Anchorage depth | 23.2 m or more |
| Pilotage | Compulsory, ETA message required |
One tracking site showed an average vessel waiting time of 5.3 days in 2026, broken down by ship type. Waiting time hits bulk and tanker charters harder than liner services with fixed berth windows.
What cargo can you ship through the Port of Algeciras?
| Cargo type | How it moves at Algeciras | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods in containers | FCL or LCL through APM or TTI | Terminal on the bill of lading, truck appointment |
| Chilled and frozen food | Reefer containers, reefer terminal, border control post | CHED, health certificates, set temperature |
| Steel and aluminium | Containers or breakbulk | CBAM declarant status above 50 tonnes a year |
| Machinery and out-of-gauge pieces | Flat racks or open tops on container services | Dimensions, lashing, inland permits |
| Trailers and trucks for North Africa | Ro-Ro to Tanger Med or Ceuta | Onward booking and documents for the second leg |
| Chemicals and other DG | IMDG containers | Port admission request 48 hours before arrival |
| Oil products | Tankers at the refinery jetty | Terminal nomination, surveys |
Shipping from Dubai to Algeciras: FCL, LCL and transshipment
Most cargo from the UAE to Algeciras moves in containers loaded at Jebel Ali Port, and many services from the Gulf reach Algeciras with a transshipment on the way. Port tracking data for March 2026 showed ONE, Maersk and CMA CGM holding the largest shares of capacity calling the port.
[AMIR-FACT: our real Jebel Ali to Algeciras transit time and the carriers we actually book on this lane]
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft container. It suits larger shipments and anything you do not want handled with other cargo.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a container with other shippers. Check that the consolidator runs a direct LCL box to Algeciras. If not, your cargo may be routed through another Spanish port and trucked.
Because Algeciras is mainly a transshipment hub, your box may sit in the yard between two ships even if it is not for Spain. If Algeciras is the final port, make sure the bill of lading shows ESALG as the port of discharge, not just as a transshipment point. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs helps you choose, and our sea freight service covers FCL, LCL and reefer bookings from the UAE.
Breakbulk and project cargo through Algeciras
Algeciras is built around containers, Ro-Ro and liquid bulk, and its dry bulk trade is small. For most project cargo from the UAE, the practical choice is a flat rack or open top on a container service that already calls Algeciras. Conventional breakbulk ships are possible but less frequent, so check sailings before you promise a delivery date.
Use this decision rule:
- The piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight: use a container service into APM or TTI.
- The piece is too large or heavy for a flat rack: look for breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage, and compare Algeciras with other Spanish ports that see more breakbulk calls.
- The piece is going on to North Africa by road: plan the Ro-Ro leg and its documents at the same time.
Our article on flat racks, open tops and out-of-gauge cargo explains the equipment, and our break bulk and project cargo service covers what we plan from the UAE side.
Dangerous goods at the Port of Algeciras
Dangerous goods in Spanish ports fall under Royal Decree 145/1989 on the admission, handling and storage of dangerous goods in ports. The key rules for a DG shipment into Algeciras:
- Dangerous goods may not enter the port's land area without the prior written authorisation of the port director.
- The shipper or consignee must request admission 48 hours before the goods arrive. If the ship's last port is less than 48 hours away, the request is made as soon as the consignee knows the ship is on its way.
- The request includes the dangerous goods declaration, emergency instructions, quantities, packaging and vessel details.
- Some goods need a separate written authorisation, including ammonium nitrate at 23% nitrogen or more, certain toxic gases, radioactive material, explosives in divisions 1.1 to 1.3 and organic peroxides.
The decree dates from 1989 and has a consolidated version with later changes, so the consignee's agent should confirm the current procedure with the port. On our side, the dangerous goods shipping team checks the UN number, SDS, DG declaration, packaging and labels, and gets carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing.
Customs at Algeciras: a short summary
Algeciras applies the same Spanish and EU customs rules as Valencia, which our Valencia guide covers in more detail. For a shipment discharged at Algeciras, these are the points to get right:
- EORI. The importer needs an EORI number, which the European Commission says is mandatory for all customs operations in the EU.
- ICS2. Since 3 June 2024, carriers must file an Entry Summary Declaration for sea cargo before arrival in the EU. Forwarders holding house-level data may need to file their part too.
- Declaration and channels. The declaration is filed electronically with the AEAT by the importer or its representative. It gets a green channel (release once duty is paid or guaranteed), orange (document check) or red (document and physical check).
- Duty. The EU rate for your goods code is in the TARIC database, along with anti-dumping duties and import restrictions. The EU has no trade agreement in force with the UAE; negotiations were launched on 28 May 2025. UAE-origin goods pay the normal third-country rate.
- Import VAT. Spain's standard rate is 21%, with a reduced rate of 10% and a super-reduced rate of 4% for some goods.
- CBAM. From 1 January 2026, an importer bringing in more than 50 tonnes a year of iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen or electricity must be an authorised CBAM declarant.
Algeciras or Valencia: which Spanish port fits your cargo?
| Your situation | Usually better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Consignee in Andalusia or near the Bay of Algeciras | Algeciras | Short truck leg |
| Cargo going on by truck to Morocco or Ceuta | Algeciras | Ro-Ro ferries to Tanger Med and Ceuta from the same port |
| Chilled food needing cold storage and border checks | Algeciras | Reefer terminal and border control post next to the container quays |
| Consignee in Madrid, Valencia or eastern Spain | Compare with Valencia | Valencia is a larger import and export gateway for central and eastern Spain |
| Small LCL shipment | Compare both | Consolidation services decide, not the port size |
We can price both ports so you see the total cost to the door.
How to ship from Dubai to the Port of Algeciras: step by step
We book space with carriers, prepare documents, arrange trucking and export clearance in the UAE, and work with the consignee's customs representative in Spain.
- Send us the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions and the Incoterm you agreed with your buyer.
- Check the importer's side. EORI number, customs representative, and CBAM status for steel or aluminium.
- Get a quote and pick the routing. We compare services from Jebel Ali to Algeciras and confirm the transshipment port and the arrival terminal.
- Book space. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first, and the consignee's agent prepares the port DG admission request.
- Stuff and seal the container. We arrange the empty, stuffing at your site or a warehouse, and the seal.
- Export clearance in the UAE. We file the export or re-export declaration and deliver the container before the cut-off.
- Bill of lading. We check that the consignee, weights, HS codes and port of discharge (ESALG) are correct before the bill is issued.
- Arrival in Algeciras. The customs representative files the declaration, any border control post check runs in parallel, and the truck collects the box on a booked slot.
How to ship from the Port of Algeciras to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Algeciras to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Spanish export papers stay with the shipper or its Spanish agent.
The Spanish export side
- Export declaration. Spain is in the EU, so the declaration is filed electronically in the Automated Export System (AES), at the customs office where the exporter is established. In Spain this is the AEAT's AES P1 system, filed by the declarant or its customs representative. AES has run in its definitive phase since 15 December 2025.
- EORI. The exporter, or the representative that lodges the declaration, needs an EORI number. The EU calls it mandatory for all types of customs operations.
- Exit. The customs office of exit supervises the departure of the goods and tells the office of export that they have left the EU.
- Local cargo. About 78% of container activity at Algeciras is transshipment; this section covers cargo that starts in Spain. The shipper or its haulier delivers it to APM or TTI before the cut-off.
The UAE import side
For cargo landing at Jebel Ali, the import declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading, a certificate of origin and any permit needed for restricted goods. Customs duty is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, and a VAT-registered importer can account for it on its VAT return.
- Send us the shipper's details in Algeciras, the cargo, the HS code, the Incoterm and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space with a carrier from APM Terminals or TTI Algeciras and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker picks up the empty, stuffs it and delivers the box to the terminal before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its Spanish customs representative files the export declaration in AES.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before it is issued.
- We file the UAE customs declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order from the line.
- We truck the box to your site and return the empty inside the free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Algeciras to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Free time, storage and dwell time at Algeciras
Each carrier sets its own free days, and terminal storage runs on top. One tracking site reported average dwell times in February 2026 of 3.6 days for imports, 11.7 days for exports and 8.8 days for transshipment boxes. Plan import clearance before arrival so your box leaves in that first window.
Book the truck through the terminal appointment system as soon as customs releases the box. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how these charges build up.
Checklist for Port of Algeciras shipping
- Port of discharge on the bill of lading is Algeciras (ESALG).
- Importer has an EORI number and a customs representative.
- HS code checked in TARIC for duty and any restrictions.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading show the same weights, piece counts and consignee.
- Certificate of origin issued.
- For food, plants or animal products: certificates and an advance CHED for the border control post.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging, labels, carrier acceptance and the port admission request 48 hours before arrival.
- For steel, aluminium or fertilisers: CBAM declarant status confirmed.
- Arrival terminal confirmed: APM, TTI or Isla Verde.
- Cargo insurance arranged.
Common mistakes at the Port of Algeciras
- Treating Algeciras as the final port when it is only the transshipment point. Check the port of discharge on the booking.
- No EORI number. Customs cannot clear the goods without it.
- Late DG admission request. The port needs it 48 hours before arrival.
- Food without a CHED. The border control post holds the box until the paperwork is right.
- Steel or aluminium for an importer without CBAM status. The shipment can be held at release.
- No truck appointment. The box is released but cannot leave the terminal until a slot is free.
- Booking LCL to Algeciras without checking consolidation services. The cargo may be routed through another port anyway.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs Algeciras port?
The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) manages the port, together with Campamento, Guadarranque and Tarifa. The two main container terminals are run by APM Terminals and TTI Algeciras.
What is the port code for Algeciras?
The UN/LOCODE for Algeciras is ESALG. Use it as the port of discharge on bookings and bills of lading when Algeciras is your final port.
How many containers does the Port of Algeciras handle?
Algeciras handled 3,566,055 TEU from January to September 2026, up 0.57% on the same period of 2025. About 78% of that was international transshipment.
Is Algeciras a transshipment port?
Mostly, yes. Its position on the Strait of Gibraltar makes it a hub where boxes move between ships. Import and export boxes were just over 480,000 TEU in the first nine months of 2026.
Can I ship refrigerated food to Algeciras?
Yes. The port has a reefer terminal with 20,000 cubic metres of cold storage and an EU-approved border control post next to APM Terminals. The importer must send a CHED in advance and the goods need the right health certificates.
What is the import VAT rate at Algeciras?
Import VAT in Spain is 21% for most goods, with reduced rates of 10% and 4% for some products. Customs duty is added separately at the EU rate for the goods code shown in TARIC.
Can I ship dangerous goods to the Port of Algeciras?
Yes. The consignee or shipper must request admission from the port director 48 hours before arrival, with the DG declaration and emergency instructions. Some goods, such as explosives in divisions 1.1 to 1.3, need a separate written authorisation.
Does the EU have a trade agreement with the UAE?
No agreement is in force. The EU and the UAE formally launched negotiations on 28 May 2025, so UAE-origin goods pay the normal EU third-country duty rate for now.
How do I ship from Dubai to the Port of Algeciras?
We book space from Jebel Ali, arrange stuffing and UAE export clearance, and check the bill of lading. The consignee's customs representative files the import declaration in Spain and books the truck slot.
Can you ship cargo from Algeciras to Dubai?
Yes. The shipper or its Spanish representative files the export declaration in AES. We book the space, file the UAE declaration, arrange payment of the 5% duty and 5% VAT, and deliver from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah.
Get a quote for Port of Algeciras shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and a price from the UAE to Algeciras. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a reefer, project or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- El Estrecho Digital: APBA traffic January to September 2026 (21 October 2026)
- Wikipedia: Port of Algeciras (UN/LOCODE, quays)
- iContainers: Port of Algeciras (ports managed by APBA, terminals)
- ShipNext: Algeciras port data (terminals, border control post, reefer terminal, vessel limits, waiting time)
- APM Terminals Algeciras (ship size, carriers, online services)
- Port of Algeciras Handbook 2011: Container terminals (TTI depth and automation)
- Port of Algeciras Handbook 2011: Strategic position (Strait width)
- MH Bland: Port of Algeciras (TTI opening, bulk trades, Ro-Ro routes)
- Cogoport: Algeciras (ESALG) port information (pilotage, depths, dwell times, carrier shares)
- BOE: Royal Decree 145/1989 on dangerous goods in ports
- AEAT: Customs declaration and control channels
- European Commission: EORI number
- European Commission: ICS2 for maritime transport
- European Commission: TARIC
- European Commission: EU-UAE agreement negotiations
- European Commission: CBAM definitive regime
- Your Europe: VAT rates by country
- European Commission: What is exportation (export declaration, AES, exit)
- European Commission: EORI number
- AEAT: Electronic export system AES P1
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (documents)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% rate, import VAT)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026