Port of Bilbao prepares for upcoming industrial and logistics projects

Port of Bilbao has completed the addition of land as it gears up to accommodate to upcoming industrial and logistics projects. The €112 million investment has enabled the Port Authority to make 203,000 square metres of land available to companies. 

In total, the newly built dock has a 1,120 metres long berthing line and 362,000 square metres of surface area. This project was selected for funding by the European Commission within the framework of its 2014 “Connecting Europe Facility” call for proposals. Under the funding agreement, the European Commission will provide up to €20.9 million, representing 20 percent of the eligible costs. The remaining funds have been provided by the Port Authority itself.

At the beginning of 2023, a further 50,000 square metres will be added to these 200,000 square metres on the completion of another project: the extension of the AZ1 Quay, at a cost of approximately €27.4 million. This will be followed by the construction of the second phase of the central quay, scheduled for 2024, although every effort will be made to bring this work forward.

This new quay will be equipped with rail infrastructure and will also enable vessels to connect to the port’s power grid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and noise while the ship is berthed, thereby improving the environmental performance of the vessels. This practice, known as “Onshore Power Supply”, also reduces vibrations on board and wear and tear on the engines.