Erhardt Mediterráneo and TMC–Terminal Marítima de Cartagena celebrated their 30th anniversary today in Murcia, in an event that brought together institutional, business, and port representatives under the theme “Connecting Markets. The Port of Cartagena as a Strategic Hub.”
The event was opened by Eugenio Erhardt, President of TMC, and featured remarks from H.E. Juan María Vázquez Rojas, Regional Minister for the Environment, Universities, Research and the Mar Menor of the Region of Murcia. Both emphasized the key role of the logistics sector in regional economic development and in consolidating the Port of Cartagena as a benchmark in southeastern Spain.
Thirty Years of Trust and Shared Vision
In his address, Eugenio Erhardt recalled the company’s origins: “Erhardt Mediterráneo and TMC were founded to support the growth of regional industry and its expansion into new markets. Since then, our activity has always been closely tied to the economic development of the Region of Murcia.”
For his part, Óscar Rodríguez Roijals, President of Erhardt Mediterráneo, underlined that “the values that have guided these 30 years are transparency and trust, and from the very beginning, the project has been driven by a clear vision for the future.”
Logistics as a Lever for Competitiveness
The first roundtable, “Logistics Opportunities for Imports and Exports in the Region of Murcia,” brought together representatives from SABIC Innovative Plastics, P&J Carrasco, Samskip, and Erhardt Mediterráneo, and was moderated by José María Gómez-Fuster, General Manager of the Port Authority of Cartagena.
Participants agreed on the need to strengthen maritime connections with Northern Europe to enhance regional competitiveness.
Flora Torres (SABIC) highlighted maritime transport as an essential tool to reduce costs and meet growing global competitive pressure.
Diego Ruigómez (Samskip) emphasized the port’s potential as a strategic link between North Africa and Northern Europe, while Sergio Conesa, Director of Erhardt Mediterráneo, pointed out the reliability and competitiveness of the Port of Cartagena: “Its proximity to Murcia’s industrial base and the southeastern peninsula is one of its great advantages. It is a port free of congestion, labor conflicts, and operational constraints.”
Iago Carrasco (P&J Carrasco) stressed the importance of the port’s industrial hinterland and the logistics savings it offers, especially for industrial cargo flows.
Gómez-Fuster closed the session by noting the effective involvement of the Port of Cartagena’s Customs Office, whose efficiency contributes greatly to the dynamism of port activity.
Cartagena: Guarantee of Agri-Food Supply
The second panel, “Agri-Food Imports: Cartagena as a Supply Guarantee,” moderated by Santiago Nogueira, TMC Board Member, featured CEFUSA, Bunge, and TMC.
José Antonio Cánovas, Managing Director of TMC, highlighted recent investments in storage capacity—now exceeding 400,000 tons -and praised Cartagena’s “clean, modern logistics operations and social harmony, unlike many other Spanish ports.”
From Bunge, Jaime Fernández Trueba underlined the port’s geographical position as a distribution hub for Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia.
Inmaculada Cánovas (CEFUSA) stressed the need to strengthen rail connections and supporting infrastructure to ensure sustainable growth in the agri-food sector.
The Port of Cartagena: A Driver of Regional Development
Pedro Pablo Hernández, President of the Port Authority, closed the event highlighting that the port—celebrating its 150th anniversary this year—already represents 6% of the region’s GDP.
“We have a reliable, uncongested, and agile port that continues to specialize in serving the region’s productive industries,” he said, noting key strategic projects such as the new intermodal rail terminal, the expansion of the Escombreras dock, and the future El Gorguel dock.
Hernández expressed his gratitude to Erhardt, Noatum, and Nogar, partners in the project, stating that “they have been key players in the growth the Port of Cartagena has experienced in recent years.” He added, “Erhardt and TMC understood the port’s philosophy from the very beginning, and thanks to them, today we have an efficient logistics hub with a forward-looking vision.”
More than 150 people attended the event, including colleagues, friends, and clients, who traveled from all corners of Spain for the occasion. We thank them all for their warmth and support.
