Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

I take this assessment with a sense of responsibility as CEO of Logistics Express. The year 2024 was an endurance test for the logistics sector: we experienced times of regulatory pressure, rising costs and disruptive changes. But it was also a year of lessons, consolidation and the design of the next strategic cycle.

Overview 2024: lights and shadows

In 2024, road freight transport in Spain and Portugal recorded growth of around 2.4%, according to published data (Europa Press). This figure hides what it meant to operate with compressed margins, escalating energy prices and an infrastructure that in many cases is not up to the growing demand.

From a regulatory standpoint, the end of the year brought both progress and friction: the next phase of the NCTS transit system (Phase 5) continued its deployment, albeit with technical obstacles and gradual adaptations. The AES system experienced delays and deadline adjustments - in many cases forcing a rethinking of internal schedules - and changes in SADs, container identification and technical documentation required rapid adaptations by operators and freight forwarders.

Another key factor has been the tensions of global maritime trade and port competition. Spain is at a crossroads: while some hubs in the Mediterranean and North Africa are gaining logistical attraction, our ports must reinvent themselves in order not to lose volume. Add to this the news (confirmed in 2025) of the acquisition by Baleària of a large part of Armas Trasmediterránea, which modifies the Spanish naval map in traffic on the Canary Islands, Alboran and part of the Strait routes.(Baleària - official note)

This acquisition, pending regulatory approval, concentrates routes, vessels and strategic assets, generating opportunities and risks of concentration of power in domestic maritime transport(Cinco Días, Forbes España).

Ceuta: strategic enclave and persistent challenges

In 2024 and January 2025, the issue of commercial customs between Ceuta and Morocco was back on the agenda. The original plan was to open commercial customs on January 8, but technical problems and Moroccan blockades thwarted those plans(Huffington Post).

The situation caused surprise locally and nationally: the promised reopening was not fully implemented, generating unease in Ceuta's business community(The Objective).

In addition, shipping companies operating between Algeciras and Ceuta reduced their shipping capacity by up to 25% in 2025, according to port sources, which has a direct impact on throughput logistics, transportation costs and availability of shipments.(Cadena SER)

For Logistics Express, Ceuta represents not only a transit point, but also a service point where we must offer agility, documentary certainty and support in the face of border obstacles. In 2025 we will strengthen our land operations, customs coordination and alternative maritime routes to mitigate impacts.

Melilla: connectivity and growing volume

Melilla closed 2024 with a historic volume of maritime and air passengers. According to Port records and statistical data, total maritime passengers in Melilla grew by 6.27% over the previous year(Wikipedia - passenger data).

Likewise, Melilla airport experienced its best year on record: 507,957 passengers and 10,977 operations, exceeding the estimated capacity of 500,000 travelers.(Wikipedia - Melilla airport) The airport's 3C category will allow it to operate larger aircraft, potentially improving connectivity with the mainland and the islands.

But Melilla is not exempt from political and customs challenges: the reopening of commercial customs remains vague, with promises that have not materialized definitively due to technical blockages or political disagreements between Spain and Morocco(El Nacional).

For Logistics Express, Melilla is a logistics expansion point where we must capture new traffic opportunities and consolidate regional operations. In 2025, we will improve our route structure, secure local inventories and strengthen alliances with local operators.

Gibraltar: Border effect and customs revised

The agreement between Spain, the United Kingdom and the European Union on Gibraltar has caught the attention of the customs and logistics sector. The General Council of Customs Agents is analyzing the effects that this pact will have on agents and operators in the border area(Diario El Canal).

For us, Gibraltar can represent a sensitive transit point: customs adjustments, new regulations and revised border controls cannot be taken lightly. We will anticipate outbound and inbound scenarios, calibrating our customs protocols in the face of new treaties and emerging controls.

Balearic and Canary Islands: maritime routes and shipping reorganization

The Balearic and Canary Islands are strategic markets of continuous logistic demand. In 2025, one of the most relevant announcements is the purchase by Baleària of a large part of Armas Trasmediterránea's operations, including routes in the Canary Islands, Alborán and part of the Strait(Baleària - official note).

This operation significantly reorganizes the maritime offer between the mainland, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, concentrating shipping assets, routes and fleet(Cinco Días).

The integration of Armas into Baleària represents an opportunity to consolidate more efficient regular routes, improve the offer of combined services (ferry + land) and optimize port calls. But it also brings risks of local monopoly or logistic bottlenecks if it is not well regulated.

From our perspective at Logistics Express, we will strengthen our maritime-terrestrial interconnection capacity, negotiate with favorable conditions and deploy comprehensive services between islands and mainland with high reliability.

Challenges we face and strategic priorities for 2025

The challenges are not few. We need to stabilize customs flows, adapt to new regulations, manage naval concentration, ensure local connectivity and be resilient in the face of geopolitical disruptions. But it is precisely in the face of these challenges that competitive advantages are built.

My priorities for 2025 are:

• Strengthen customs operations and regulations: anticipate NCTS, AES and SAD changes with internal training, robust systems and continuous monitoring.
• Investment in smart logistics infrastructure: automated warehouses, lean processes, IoT and end-to-end traceability.
• Strategic territorial development: strengthen presence in Ceuta and Melilla, local alliances and secure routes; explore new island connections.
• Proactive maritime strategy: adapting routes in the face of shipping reorganization, negotiating multi-scale contracts and managing contingencies.
• Human capital and technical talent: attracting and retaining specialized profiles, training plans, strong corporate culture.
• Communication of authority and transparency: generate own content, give the client a voice when explaining decisions, strategic institutional visibility.

Final summary: vision with authority

2024 was a year that demanded adaptability, decisiveness and resilience from us. Not everything was adversity: we also built strengths. But the context is changing fast. The Spanish shipping landscape is changing with moves such as the consolidation of Baleària-Armas. Ceuta and Melilla are still territories of customs tension. The Balearic and Canary Islands are hubs of strategic naval competition. Gibraltar is reconfiguring border controls. On this world map, Logistics Express aspires to position itself as a reliable, flexible partner, ready to anticipate and able to execute.

My commitment to you, customer, partner or ally, is firm: you will have transparency, data-backed decisions, strategic leadership and a logistics presence capable of withstanding the challenges ahead. I am confident that 2025 will be the year in which we take decisive steps toward consolidating our brand, strengthening domestic and international routes, and making every operation a promise fulfilled.

I am at your disposal to discuss, propose specific strategies or answer your questions. Contact us here.

Dirk Manuel Martens Jiménez
General Manager - Logistics Express