Port access- ICEX, the Bilbao Port Authority, the Basque Mobility and Logistics Cluster and UniportBilbao organise a workshop with the participation of a broad representation of the port community
- The introduction of innovative solutions in smart transport, warehouse automation, process digitisation and sustainable distribution improves business competitiveness
ICEX, the Bilbao Port Authority, UniportBilbao (the Multimodal Logistics Cluster of the Port of Bilbao) and the Basque Mobility and Logistics Cluster have run a workshop to share innovative logistics technology solutions with Basque companies and thus improve their competitiveness. The event took place at the main offices of the Bilbao Port Authority.
The event was opened by Marta Valero, Director of Infrastructure and Industrial Technology at ICEX, together with Andima Ormaetxe, Director of Operations, Sales, Logistics and Strategy at the Bilbao Port Authority. This has been the sixth in a series of travelling workshops across Spain organised by ICEX Spain, Export and Investment, which began in Madrid and has since taken in the cities of Algeciras, Valencia, Zaragoza and Vigo.
The disruptions to logistics chains caused by the pandemic and subsequent geopolitical events have led to a global reorganisation of value chains. As a result, the situation has come under review and solutions have been explored, as presented at this workshop. The event provided an excellent opportunity for companies to share strategies and experiences related to the introduction of new disruptive technologies and their direct impact on supply chain efficiency.
ICEX: active listening and a strategic partner
This activity, part of the ICEX strategy to bolster the internationalisation of the logistics and supply chain sector, is the result of ICEX actively listening to companies in the sector, who see ICEX as a strategic partner that supports them in their internationalisation process.
With a privileged geostrategic position as a bridge between Europe and Africa and its connections with Latin America and North America, Spain is an international logistics hub. It also offers an extensive transport infrastructure network, with 46 ports and 49 airports, is the leader in Europe in terms of motorways with 17,300 km, and is home to two of the nine intermodal transport corridors of the Trans-European Network (TEN-T) considered a priority by the EU: the Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors.
Logistics is a highly dynamic sector, with an ever expanding range of technological solutions and a high number of start-ups presenting innovations that combine artificial and collaborative intelligence in a wide variety of applications such as intralogistics (order and stock management), last-mile urban logistics, port logistics (containers and Port Community System), and medium and long-distance transport (route planning and others).
The transport and logistics sector is an important industry with sustained growth, employing over 700,000 people and accounting for 2.7% of GDP (2022 figures published by the Spanish Transport and Logistics Observatory).
Priority sector
In line with the significant growth potential and dynamism of the transport and logistics sector, ICEX has recently published the first edition of the ‘Who is Who: Logistics & Supply Chain from Spain’ guide, featuring international companies in the sector and a specific section dedicated to entrepreneurship and start-ups.
Finally, and in addition to these workshops, ICEX also supports the sector with stands representing Spain at leading international events such as Intermodal Sao Paulo, Logismed Casablanca, Transport Logistic Munich, Logitrans Istanbul, conferences and networking activities, as well as organising networking activities for these sectors.
