Port accessOn 17 and 18 September, Bilbao will host the Project Cargo Summit for the second time. This annual meeting of the international project cargo community will bring together professionals from around the world to discuss the current situation in the sector and the trends that will shape the future of the industry.
This event consolidates the position of the Port of Bilbao as a European leader in project and oversized cargo. With strong road and rail connectivity and more than 32.8 million tonnes of cargo handled in 2024, Bilbao acts as a strategic link between the Iberian Peninsula and international markets. It has also become a key player in the renewable energy sector, particularly in the manufacture, logistics and export of components for wind energy. The Port’s ongoing infrastructure expansion is geared to meet the growing demand for breakbulk cargo operations.
In addition, the Port of Bilbao is pioneer in sustainability. One stand-out initiative in this area is the BilbOPS project to connect vessels to the onshore power grid while in port and to generate renewable energy to supply this power. The first phase of the project will be completed in early 2026, with an investment of 4.7 million euros and a 3.9 million euro grant from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The second phase, which began in 2025, will be completed in 2027. With a budget of 50.1 million euros, this second phase will be financed in part by Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funds, and the rest by the Bilbao Port Authority itself. An 80 million euro loan has also been secured from the European Investment Bank (EIB), part of which will be used to finance the project.
Bilbao is also promoting the development of green and digital maritime corridors, acting as a strategic hub for the Atlantic Corridor and collaborating with the ports of Amsterdam and Duisburg to develop a renewable hydrogen corridor between the Basque Country and central Europe.
The future of project cargo
Under the slogan ‘Mastering the Art of Mega Logistics’, the two-day Project Cargo Summit will bring together transport companies specialised in complex and large-scale cargo shipments: logistics service providers looking to connect with customers and partners; shipping companies active in breakbulk and oversized cargo, shipping agents looking for new opportunities in project logistics; ports and terminals offering specialised handling services and infrastructure; and service providers supporting project cargo transport with technology, equipment and know-how.
The first day of the programme for the 2025 edition includes a site visit to the port terminals, showcasing their importance in project cargo logistics. On the second day, a series of conference sessions, round tables and a networking gathering for drinks will focus on the major challenges currently facing the sector: adapting to larger vessels, port digitalisation, efficiency in the handling of high-value cargo and the transition to renewable energy, especially offshore wind power. The event will also explore the growing role of technology in logistics, supply chain security and sustainability.
The summit will feature representatives from companies such as Mammoet, deugro, SAL Heavy Lift, Erhardt Projects, Nordex, JGC Corporation and CMA-CGM, and speakers from the Port of Bilbao and partner ports such as Houston, Brest, Bordeaux and Great Lakes–Saint Lawrence. It will also be an excellent opportunity to network with different industry players and build closer ties for collaboration, further consolidating the role of the Port of Bilbao as a strategic hub in international trade.
