It is the fourth nationwide port in freight traffic behind Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona.

[2] 60% of exports and the 80% of imports from the Region of Murcia are made through the port of Cartagena.

[5] It historical importance relies on both the good harbour offered by the natural bay and its strategic location near the East–West maritime route linking the Suez Canal to the strait of Gibraltar.

Besides its location, it also was appreciated at the time because of the metal ore mining (argentifourous galenas) in the surrounding mountains as well as the esparto exports.

[7] In 2006, the Autoridad Portuaria de Cartagena proposed the expansion of the port with a new dock in El Gorguel.