Leixões Port

Also known as Porto de Leixões

The Port of Leixões (, ) is one of Portugal's largest seaports and the primary maritime gateway for the Northern Region. Located in Matosinhos, just north of Porto and approximately from the Douro River mouth, the port handles diverse cargoes including containers, bulk cargoes, breakbulk and ro-ro, as well as serving cruise ships and fishing vessels. It is connected to Portugal's national railway network by the Leixões line.

Key facts

Port.name: Leixões
Port.image: Leça da Palmeira 0132 (18145297593).jpg
Port.country: Portugal
Port.location: Matosinhos
Port.operated: APDL
Port.opened: 1886
Port.locode: PTLEI
Port.type: coastal breakwater
Port.owner: Portuguese state
Port.arrivals: 2,343 (2024)
Port.passengertraffic: 195,877 (2024)
Port.containervolume: 715,061 TEU (2024)
Port.cargotonnage

Article

8 sections

Contents

History
Toponym and early history
Planning and constructing of the harbour
Developing of the commercial seaport
Mid-20th Century Expansion and Modernization
Facilities
Statistics
References

Construction started in 1884 and the port started operating in 1886, providing a safer and more reliable alternative to the hazardous Douro River bar, which had long posed risks to shipping. Since then, Leixões has undergone multiple expansions and modernization efforts throughout the 20th and 21st centuries to accommodate larger vessels and growing trade volumes. A major upgrade project started in 2023 aims to deepen the access channel and extend the north breakwater to enhance capacity and operational efficiency.