Noatum logoNoatum Maritime has consolidated its position in Spain’s finished vehicle and ro-ro market with the integration of its vehicle handling businesses at the ports of Barcelona, Sagunto, Málaga and Santander with those in Pasajes and Tarragona.

The company has now formed a new division called Noatum Maritime Automotive that will draw together all finished vehicle and rolling stock handling activities in the ports. In terms of car handling, this amounts to over 1.2m units annually.

Xavier Vázquez, the former director of Barcelona business unit Autoterminal, becomes CEO of the new division and a member of its board, as well as assuming the position of director general of Noatum Maritime Automotive.

“This integration will enhance our position as leading players in Spain, offering our clients and stakeholders global solutions of the highest quality, and always on the basis of neutrality and independence in the ports in which we are present,” said Vázquez.

Carlos Artigas replaces Vázquez at Autoterminal.

Earlier this year, Noatum spun off its container handling division, which was acquired by the Cosco shipping line. It was known to want to withdraw from the port terminals market in Spain.

Rumours circulating in the local press that Bergé Maritima is now looking to buy Noatum’s newly created automotive division have been denied by a spokesperson for Bergé Logistics, who said there was “no basis” for them.