Brussels, 14/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has just approved a €150 million loan for the extension of the Port of Barcelona, including the enlargement of the South Quay, where the Barcelona container terminal (Terminal de Contenidors de Barcelona, S.A.) is located, the relocation of the company CLH's berths, relocation of the Port Nou terminal's activity to the Adossat Quay and construction of a new short sea shipping terminal at the Costa Quay, the construction of 500-metre long, 16.5-metre deep quayside and 37 hectares of new terminal area at the Prat Quay, along with road and rail links. Since 2001, the Port of Barcelona has received a total of €390 million from eight different loans. The port is Catalonia's main transport and logistics hub. With 112 shipping lines operated by 163 companies providing regular connections to 825 ports on five continents, it is by far Spain's leading international port. This latest EIB loan falls within the framework of the Trans-European transport networks, which seek to foster economic and social integration within the EU, the free movement of persons and goods and the development of the EU's less favoured areas. (O.L./transl.rt)