The Mediterranean sea is set to achieve the highest volume of shipping trade in the world in the 21st century. This anticipated expansion will be due in part to the growth of the AsiaEurope trade corridor complemented by the proposed Suez Canal enlargement. The Catalan ports of Barcelona Valencia and Tarragona Catalan offer the most efficient and costeffective port entrance to the Mediterranean and are poised to gain ascendancy over other European ports offering similar services. Economists and