Noatum Ports Castellón Terminal Welcomes Akkon Lines First Direct Service to Algeria Since 2022

Noatum Ports Castellón Terminal celebrates a major milestone this August with the launch of a new direct maritime service between Castellón and Algeria, operated by Turkish shipping company Akkon Lines. This marks the first direct connection between the two ports since trade relations were suspended in 2022, when Castellon had up to 5 weekly services with Algiers, being this country a key customer for Castellón with more than 1M tones shipped yearly.

The re-establishment of this route follows the reopening of Algeria’s borders to Spanish trade in late 2023, after nearly three years of diplomatic and commercial standstill. The new service is expected to significantly enhance logistics efficiency for exporters in the Castellón region, particularly those in the ceramics industry — a key driver of trade with Algeria.

Initially, two sailings are scheduled for August, with regular weekly services planned from September onwards. The route will provide a faster and more efficient alternative to existing routes via Valencia, reducing transit times and strengthening Castellón’s strategic position in Mediterranean trade as a gateway for industrial exports to North Africa.

The renewed link is expected to boost the export of ceramic-related products such as frits and glazes, which remain in high demand in the Algerian market. In December 2023 alone, exports from Castellón to Algeria reached €11.3 million, underscoring the importance of this trade route.
With this new service, Noatum Ports Castellón Terminal continues to expand its connectivity and support the growth of regional industries through efficient and sustainable logistics solutions.