July 13, 2023

We started the morning at a cafe, and I have found my new favorite way to drink coffee in the morning is an espresso shot with sweetened condensed milk. So so good! We then took a group trip to the Fundacion Valenciaport. We learned about the different locations the València ports consist of, Sagunto, València, and Gandia. The presenter discussed the plane for the northern terminal expansion. She emphasized that it is not possible for them to build further out into the water, so they have to expand longways. She explained how Valencia is more so a container port whereas Barcelona is more of a passenger terminal, which was very interesting to learn after hearing the stats of the Barcelona’s port. The emphasis on the importance of locations for ports. The Valenica port is what she considered the “doorway to the Mediterranean and the international sphere. For example, China is the #1 country of origin/destination for container traffic handled in Valencia. Along with Valencia’s geographical location near the canal between Africa and Spain, Valencia is also closest to the largest dry port in Spain, Madrid. The Valencia Port, like every other port and firm we talked to discussed their project of zero net emissions. Their plan is to continue to introduce more energy transitions such as wind and photovoltaic, using LNG in ships, using hydrogen in port machinery. They also plan to reach zero emissions in their passenger terminal, the container yard will be electrified, and the new northern terminal expansion will be zero emissions.

Questions:

• In comparison to the Barcelona port, does the València port or Barcelona handle more international movement? I feel like València location wise would have more of an opportunity, but size wise, I also feel like Barcelona has the machinery and traffic to move more internationally
  • She answered that because of Valencias location on the Mediterranean and proximity to the ATlantic, Valencia has the advantage of quicker movement to locations. However, she also reiterated that Barcelona is more of a passenger port than Valencia’s dominantly container port. Therefore, more cruises and vessels transporting individuals go to Barcelona because of its geographical proximity to the rest of Europe.
• In regards to the railway system connecting Valencia, Barcelona, and Madrid, is Valencia or Barcelona have the advantage in the use and movement of freight via cargo
  • Valencia is located closer to Madrid in the Spain railway system allowing it to move freight to the dry port of Madrid quicker and with a lower cost than Barcelona.

We were then given a presentation on the Fundacion de Valenciaport itself and its purpose. The Fundacion de Valenciaport is a center of applied research and an innovation training center that contributes to the knowledge and management of the Valencia port as well as assist in projects for other international ports. They work with international institutions, governments exporters and importers, dry ports, railways, Ro-ro terminals, bulk and multipurpose terminals, etc. in efforts of improving the operations and effects socially, economically, and environmentally fro their clients. They presented several of their projects they are working on such as Project planet, I Terminal Project, Green C Ports, H2ports, Praetorian, Asignat Project, along with a multitude of others in hopes of improving the logistics industry as a whole. My personal favorite to learn about was the Asignat Project, which is a plan to start implementing fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in ports and will be the first ever implementation of hydrogen technologies in port handling equipment in Europe.

Questions:

• Is there a Valenciano and Spanish language requirements?
  • I had learned from the tour at the Ciudad de Artes y las Ciencias that many jobs require individuals to learn both Valenciano and Spanish. Valenciano I learned is similar to Catalan and Basque as in it is the language of that particular region of Spain region. Simply put she said no there are no requirements to learn both but many individuals who have lived in Valencia know both anyway.
• is the zero emissions goal in 2023 something that’s being enforced on the government level or just an effort from the ports themselves?
  • She explained that it is not a law that has been enforced by the Spanish government but instead an effort from the individual ports to improve the state of the climate. Simultaneously, the emissions and the effects of the ports affect the population of the city it resides in so not only is it an effort to help the climate but it is also a way to better the lives of the individuals who work at the port andlive around the port.

We also received a presentation specifically on the OpenTop project, an effort to make safer, smarter, and more efficient ports through implementing more open communication between internal and external parties, increase digitalization, combatting climate change projects, and improving the trade tech fund. She discussed that concepts of the project involve developing innovative concepts for port logistics, training with new technologies, supporting startups while establishing win-win relationships, the venture capital fund for startups, and building on port labs to test new technologies for the port. 

Afterwards, we took transit to lunch at Fum de Llum. We had delicious Valencian starters and HUGE paella dishes in the largest cast iron skillets I have ever seen. Summer and I walked to go get Boba after and realized how much more processed America’s foods are. The boba place we went to had real taro in it, and we thought it wasn’t nearly as good as at home. After, we headed back to the hotel to do homework, do laundry, and pack for our trip tomorrow.

For dinner, we went to a sushi restaurant called Fuji and ate all-you-can-eat sushi. Afterward we went back to the Ciudad de las Arte y las Ciencias to experience the rooftop.