Malaga Port expansion: €58 million project to transform cargo trade

Malaga Port is preparing for one of its biggest infrastructure projects in decades, with a €58.5 million expansion about to create more than 70,000 square metres of additional operating space and allow larger cargo ships to use its facilities.

The Port Authority has opened the contracting for construction of a new Muelle 8 and the extension of Muelle 9, with companies invited to submit bids by December 10, 2026.

The contract is valued at approximately €58.5 million including tax. Construction is expected to take 27 months once the contract has been awarded.

Why does Malaga Port need to expand?

The investment comes as commercial activity at the port continues to grow. During the first half of 2026, Malaga handled more than three million tonnes of goods, an increase of 13.2 per cent compared with the same period last year. Container traffic also rose by 16.1 per cent.

Much of the demand comes from agricultural and food-related cargo, creating a need for more storage space and additional facilities to handle incoming and outgoing shipments.

The new Muelle 8 will provide approximately 70,000 square metres of additional operational and storage space, while extending Muelle 9 will give container operators room to handle two ships simultaneously.

The project also includes deepening the harbour basin to 15.6 metres, allowing vessels with a draught of up to 13.5 metres to enter.

A changing Malaga waterfront

The expansion is not simply about accommodating more ships. Malaga’s waterfront is undergoing a wider transformation, with the planned San Andres developments and future city auditorium placing additional pressure on the port’s available land.

Around 31,000 square metres currently used for bulk cargo operations will be affected by these developments, making replacement commercial space particularly important.

Readers can also see how the city’s transport plans connect with this development in our coverage of the Guadalmedina tunnel project.

The port is also looking further its existing boundaries, with plans involving additional freight-handling space at Los Prados. Part of the Port Authority’s wider 2026–2030 investment programme, the expansion forms part of a strategy to strengthen Malaga’s position in Mediterranean trade while the city continues to reshape its waterfront.

For residents, the project represents another major step in Malaga’s economic development, with construction, transport and logistics businesses potentially benefiting from the increased activity.