Strategic Dynamics and Decision-Making Models in the Maritime Trade of Biofuels in Spain: Insights into Port Operations and Energy Transition Policies

Nicoletta González-Cancelas (), Javier Vaca-Cabrero, Alberto Camarero-Orive and Diego Alfonso Álvarez Garzón
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Nicoletta González-Cancelas: Department of Transport, Territorial and Urban Planning Engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Calle Profesor Aranguren, 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Javier Vaca-Cabrero: Department of Transport, Territorial and Urban Planning Engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Calle Profesor Aranguren, 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Alberto Camarero-Orive: Department of Transport, Territorial and Urban Planning Engineering, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Calle Profesor Aranguren, 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Diego Alfonso Álvarez Garzón: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Calle Profesor Aranguren, 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: This study examines the maritime trade of biofuels in Spain, focusing on its contribution to the global energy transition and sustainable development. Using data from Spain’s 28 port authorities, the research identifies key trends, trade dynamics, and port-specific roles. This study reveals that Spain is a net biofuel exporter, maintaining a positive balance of 5.20 million tons throughout the study period. Export volumes peaked in 2021 at 1.63 million tons, while imports have shown steady growth over the past seven years. Barcelona and Bilbao emerge as strategic ports with robust connections to the Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium, reinforcing Spain’s role in the international biofuel market. This study incorporates hierarchical decision models, including classification trees, to analyze sustainability and efficiency factors in biofuel trade. These models unveil key interactions between variables such as cargo type, origin country, and port characteristics, offering actionable strategies to optimize port operations and enhance Spain’s standing in the global biofuels sector. This research highlights the importance of sustainable port infrastructure and international collaboration to strengthen Spain’s position as a pivotal player in the global energy transition.

Keywords: biofuels; energy transition; maritime trade; Spanish ports; decision models; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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