News

This Wednesday, 28 March, the facilities that the Port of Bilbao has in Getxo will receive the Ventura, the largest cruise ship of this season and the first to visit Euskadi this year. It boasts a length of 289 metres, capacity for 3,600 passengers and 1,200 crew members. It belongs to the shipbuilder P&O, which in turn forms part of the Carnival group, the largest cruise ship group in the world.

Finnlines, from the Grimaldi group, has shored up its commitment to the Port of Bilbao with the incorporation of a large ro-ro vessel in the weekly service that joins Bilbao with the North of Europe. The “Finnsky”, like its sister ships “Finnbreeze”, “Finnsea” and “Finnsun”, which also ply the route, is 188 metres in length and can transport close to 200 platforms, 600 vehicles, 470 TEU and 75 reefers.

The Bilbao Port Authority will form part of the extensive business delegation set to accompany the Basque Government on its trade mission to India, the world’s fourth-largest economy and second most-populated nation, with close to 1.2 billion people.

The only Spanish port authority with this recognition and among the first companies in Biscay to be awarded the certificate.

Yet again this year, representatives of the Bilbao Port Authority will take part in Seatrade Cruises Miami, the main international cruise fair, which will be held from 12 – 15 March. The Port of Bilbao will have its own stand at Booth 659.

In 2011, total traffic in the Port of, amounted to 31.7 million tonnes, 5.7% less than the previous year due to decreases in liquid and solid bulks.

As from 22 March, BBC Chartering’s new monthly service “BBC Euro-Asia Express Line”, will link Bilbao with ports in South East Asia, the Far East and the North of Europe. The service is mainly aimed at project loads, heavy-lift and general cargo.

Astilleros Zamakona Shipyards has delivered its fourth vessel to Danish shipowner Viking Supply Ships As. The Brage Viking is 85 metres long with a 22 metre beam; it is highly sophisticated and incorporates the latest technological advances for petrol platforms in Arctic waters support.

The Dutch shipowner Transfennica, which links the Port of Bilbao with Zeebrugge three times weekly, has increased its line’s capacity with the introduction of the Kraftca and the Trica.