TCGL – General Cargo and Bulk Terminal of Leixões, operated under concession by Grupo ETE, set a new cargo handling record in 2022, reaching 4 million tons—an increase of 6% compared to 2021.
Always attentive to its clients’ needs and focused on delivering customized solutions, TCGL experienced exponential growth in activity during 2022, particularly in the handling of solid bulk, which rose by 12% compared to 2021. Notably, imports grew by 11% and exports by 20%. Regarding general cargo handling, import and export volumes were roughly equivalent; however, in terms of cargo mix, import volumes reached record highs, increasing by 5% compared to 2021.
This growth was driven in part by the handling of various new cargo types and a significant shift in the overall cargo mix.
TCGL plans to maintain this growth trajectory, having recently invested in new port equipment and expanded its storage capacity—allowing for continued increases in terminal cargo handling capability. Highlights include the acquisition of two next-generation Liebherr LHM 420 mobile harbor cranes, one of which can operate 100% on electric power, contributing to the sustainability of its operations at the Port of Leixões.
According to TCGL’s management, these investments are essential to providing increasingly efficient operations. The company also emphasized that 2022 presented global logistical challenges due to broader market conditions affecting most European and global ports. These factors posed significant challenges to TCGL, prompting it to reinvent the solutions offered to clients and to increasingly focus on integrated logistics solutions. The adaptation to new cargo types—beyond traditional general and solid bulk cargo—and their handling at the terminal is also a key area of strategic investment for the company.