Contracting Board Proposes Awarding COPSESA New Infrastructure in Raos 2 to Optimize Solid Bulk Storage

César Díaz, president of the Port Authority of Santander (APS): "This is an essential work to increase the capacity and competitiveness of the Port, improving the provision of services at public docks."

The new facility represents an investment of 2.9 million euros by the APS, has an execution period of six months, and the work is expected to begin in November.

Santander, September 21, 2026. The Contracting Board of the Port Authority of Santander (APS) has proposed awarding the construction of several concrete walls in Raos 2, to expand and compartmentalize the areas designated for bulk cargo storage at this dock, to the company COPSESA, for an amount of 2,919,403 euros and an execution period of six months.

The president of the APS, César Díaz, expressed his "satisfaction" with the upcoming start of works, -scheduled for November-, which are fundamental to increasing the port's capacity and competitiveness, "optimizing the space for solid bulk storage in this area and, at the same time, increasing the protection of merchandise, as well as berthing at the dock."

He also highlighted the entity's commitment "to continuous improvement" of its infrastructure and the services it provides. In this regard, he noted that "we work permanently to expand the capacity of our facilities, strengthen their competitiveness, and offer port operators conditions that allow them to carry out their activity as quickly and efficiently as possible."

"This effort also translates into an ambitious investment program," added Díaz. "The resources we generate through our own activity allow us to have an Investment Plan that includes public-private actions for an amount of 245 million euros until 2030." A figure with which "we will be able to undertake strategic projects to meet the current and future needs of the port," including the vertical car silo, actions in Raos 6, Raos 5, and Raos 8, or the new urban access to the port.

For Díaz, these initiatives respond to a strategy that goes beyond port activity itself: "The objective is to continue growing to generate, together with the Government of Cantabria, new business opportunities and activity for the companies in our environment."

In this regard, he emphasizes the port's role as one of the main economic drivers of the region, contributing 14% to the GDP and 11% of employment in Cantabria.

Construction of concrete walls in Raos 2

The works to be carried out consist of the creation of three compartments to generate different solid bulk storage areas by executing a reinforced concrete wall 165 meters long with transverse sections to the main one and closing at its ends.

Thus, the infrastructure will allow, through the execution of these retaining walls, the temporary deposit of solid materials for both import and export, which will also mean a greater utilization of vessel berthing at the Raos 2 dock.

It will be located in the strip of land between the vertical storage silo for sodium carbonate and the conveyor belt used for loading vessels.