The port of Cartagena, located in the city of the same name in Spain, is one of the most important maritime enclaves in the country. It serves as the headquarters of the province's Maritime Captaincy and is managed by the Port Authority of Cartagena, under the public agency Puertos del Estado, which reports to Spain's Ministry of Public Works. Its importance as a commercial port is reflected in its position as the fourth nationally in terms of cargo traffic, behind Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona, but ahead of other key ports such as Tarragona, Bilbao and Huelva.

The port plays a crucial role for the economy of the Region of Murcia, since 60% of the region's exports and 80% of its imports transit through its facilities. In addition, more than 40% of the tourism that arrives in Cartagena does so through this port, which highlights its commercial and touristic relevance. In particular, Cartagena has consolidated its position as the eighth most important cruise port in Spain, with 63.8% of the cruise traffic in the southeast peninsular (including the ports of Cartagena, Alicante and Almería). The influx of tourists by sea has grown by 150% in the last decade, breaking records in 2019 with the arrival of 167 ships and 250,000 visitors.

Since its foundation, the port of Cartagena has been intrinsically linked to the development of the city and has played a central role in its historical evolution. During Roman times, it was one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. Over the centuries, it has served various civilizations, which has given it a deep cultural and strategic heritage. Miguel de Cervantes, in his work "Viaje del Parnaso" (1614), highlighted the uniqueness of the port with some verses that are still remembered today in a monument inside the port.

In addition to its commercial activity, the port has maintained a close relationship with the Spanish Navy, housing the Military Arsenal and serving as the headquarters of the Navy's submarine base. This military connection has been fundamental throughout its history, and today it remains a key point for Spain's naval operations.

Modern infrastructure
The port of Cartagena is composed of two main docks: the Cartagena dock and the Escombreras dock, separated by 5 kilometers by road and 1.5 nautical miles. The Cartagena dock includes key infrastructures such as the cruise terminal, a marina, fishing facilities and several cargo terminals certified to international quality standards. For its part, the Escombreras dock is a major industrial hub, with terminals specializing in solid bulk, flammable goods and the management of petrochemical products.
An ambitious project to expand the port with a new dock at El Gorguel was proposed in 2006, with the aim of improving container transshipment and channeling import and export traffic. Although the projected infrastructure promised a significant increase in the port's capacity, with a dock of almost 4 km and an esplanade of 190 hectares, the project faced strong opposition from environmental organizations and was eventually abandoned.

Over the years, the port has received international recognition, standing out in the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards as a finalist in the "Port of the Year" category in 2008 and 2012. Among the most notable ships that have docked at the port is the "Independence of the Seas", one of the largest cruise ships in the world, which brought more than 4,000 tourists to Cartagena in a single call, underscoring its ability to attract large tourist flows.

The port of Cartagena remains a key pillar for both trade and tourism, with a modern infrastructure and a rich history that continues to define its relevance on the international maritime scene.