The Port meets the highest operational capacity requirements. All classes of cargo and vessels can be received in a port that is operative 24 hours a day, every day throughout the year and that presents no problems with draughts or tides.

Such conditions have made Bilbao a first-class cargo distribution centre. Its immediate hinterland comprises a metropolitan area of one million inhabitants; in addition, 4 million people live within a 200 kilometre radius, while there are 16 million inside 400 kilometres. Likewise, the Port is an excellent route towards the European market and its 320 million consumers.

The great importance that the Port of Bilbao has in the economic development of its hinterland was recently measured by the Bilbao Port Authority. The economic impact derived from the transport of goods via the Port of Bilbao generates a high beneficial effect on the economy of the Autonomous Basque Community and on is paid into the treasury. It supposes a GDP of 66 million pesetas and the maintaining of almost 10,000 jobs.


Docks and terminals

• 27 has. of land surface


• 1,845 has. of flotation surface


• 18 km. of docks


• 171 has. of open depts


• 268,183 m2 roofed depots


• 40,000 m2 of free storages


• 4,000 m2 of cold stores


• 9 40 tons. container cranes


• 11 40 tons. transtainer cranes


• 85 6 a 35 tons. luffing cranes


• 2 continuous loaders


• 5 Ro-ro ramps


• Special loading / unloading facilities


• Terminals for containers, general goods, solid bulks, liquid bulks, passengers, forest products and motor vehicles


• Connection from docks with national railway network


• Direct connection with national and European motorway networks

Works and investments

Since the commencement of its extension works in 1992, the Port Of Bilbao has taken great steps forward in qualitative terms. The completion of the first phase of these works in 1998 increased land surface area by 150 hectares and added almost an extra kilometre of berthing lines with 20 metre draughts.

Dock A1, which was inaugurated then, is already occupied with two new terminals: one is for vehicles, which is at present in operation, and the other for containers, which will begin its activity in 2002.

The lands parallel to the coast and perpendicular to Dock A1 have been set aside for two rail terminals at present being built by the Ministry for Development.

Besides, these works have allowed port accesses to be improved and areas to be created for lorries to park and other related services.

Demand for land surfaces is still high, which is why the building of new docks went on at a steady pace in 2000, as can be seen from the 5,951 million pesetas (35.77 million Euros) that were invested.

The following is a summary of the most important works carried out throughout the year:

New Docks

Two new docks are under construction: Dock A2, inside the new basin, and Punta Sollana Dock in the industrial zone.

Dock A2 is for a container terminal and will mean a 27-hectare increase in port land, with a berthing line of 700 metres. Total estimated cost of the works amounts to 5,200 million pesetas (31.25 million Euros).

Punta Sollana Dock will occupy a 20-hectare surface area and have a jetty and a 400 metre long berthing area. It will cost a total of 2,600 million pesetas (15.63 million Euros).

Improvements in Accesses

In July last year the Port Authority completed two new accesses. First were the works for the restructuring of the Landeta Link and the Accesses to the Esplanades of the Port Extension, and then the Accesses to the Secondary Breakwater Area together with the Development of Area behind Dock A-1. This investment cost a total of 1,116 million pesetas (6.71 million Euros). These works are to be extended, and so work on road and rail accesses to the esplanades at Punta Lucero was begun with an investment calculated at 1,444 million pesetas (8.68million Euros).

Filling in the Outer Abra

Since the end of 1999, the Port Authority has been using materials from some old mines in the area to create new surface area. This is the result of an agreement reached with Sociedad Abra Industrial and it will finish this year. Total investment will add up to some 800 million pesetas (4.81 million Euros).

New Warehouses

Last year, the Bilbao Port Authority began the building of two warehouses on Santurtzi docks which will add 11,600 m2 of new covered space to the Port. Both works are estimated to cost 321 million pesetas (1.93 million Euros). These sheds form part of a group of three warehouses that will allow activity to be cleared from Deusto Canal. The works will finish halfway through 2001.

Enlargement of Border Inspection Post for Veterinary Checks

In October the works for the modernising and enlargement of the Port of Bilbao Border Inspection Post (BIP) facilities were commenced. The new BIP will have a total surface area of 450 square metres, 250 of which will be for cold storage at a maximum freezing temperature of -20º according to use.

Chronology of major works

1887 Building of the Iron Dock of Portugalete
1901 Secondary Breakwater of Algorta
1902 Santurce Breakwater
Queen Victoria Eugenia Dock
1968 Deusto Canal
1971 Princess of Spain Dock
1974 Prince of Asturias Dock
1975 Punta Lucero Breakwater
1998 The Inauguration of the First Phase of the Outer Abra Dock N 1 of the Extension
1999 The Second Phase of the Extension
2002 Completion of 2 new docks: Dock A2 and Punta Sollana Dock

Regular shipping lines

	AFRICA ATLANTIC OCEAN		AFRICA INDIAN OCEAN
	AFRICA MEDITERRANEAN SEA - MIDDLE EAST		AMERICA NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
	AMERICA NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN		AMERICA NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN
	AMERICA SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN		AMERICA SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
	ASIA INDIAN AND PACIFIC OCEAN		CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBE
	EUROPE ATLANTIC OCEAN		EUROPE MEDITERRANEAN SEA
	OCEANIA