Relu Pavel transports sea containers in Spain with his Actros 2445

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Home port.

Relu Pavel was born in Constanța, Romania, near the port. Today, he lives in Spain, near the Port of Valencia. He has been transporting sea containers with Mercedes‑Benz trucks for 20 years.


“Seeing the sea rejuvenates me and it gives me the feeling of inner peace.”

– Relu Pavel


Relu Pavel can’t imagine life without a sea breeze in his nose. “There’s nothing better than the sea,” says Romanian-born Relu, who moved from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean 20 years ago. He’s been working as a truck driver since then, too.

Relu didn’t decide to specialise in the transport of sea containers by chance. Three times a week, he drives to the grounds of Intersagunto Terminales (IST) outside of Valencia. Here he is also currently waiting for the huge mobile crane to load a new sea container onto the trailer of his Actros 2445. He gives the crane driver a prompting look, who signals back using gestures: “You’ve got 15 minutes.” With a big smile on his face, Relu gets out of his truck and goes to the quay to see the sea.



Looking at the sea is soothing.

“Seeing the sea rejuvenates me and it gives me the feeling of inner peace,” he explains and then silently observes the swaying of the waves.

Relu decided on the city of Valencia because it is very similar to his home town Constanța. “Both have a fantastic climate with moderate temperatures and blue skies,” he says. This creates a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere with cafes and restaurants as well as a lot of stuff to do outdoors. “And both cities are more than 2,000 years old. Constanța is the gateway to the Black Sea, and Valencia connects the Europe to Africa via the Mediterranean Sea,” Relu adds.



Sea containers with goods of all kinds.

Relu looks across the water and watches the next ship sail in. It almost looks like a flock of seagulls is steering it in the right direction. The time is almost up and he sets off for his truck.

Has the load been secured and are the papers okay? Then he can set off soon. Relu transports containers holding the most varied of goods from virtually all continents in his Actros 2445. He says goodbye to the dockers and rolls up his window. But not without first closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath of the refreshing, salty sea air.



Photos: Begoña Tremps

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