Bilbao positions itself in Rotterdam as a leading European hub for project cargo and breakbulk

Photograph of the Port of Bilbao.

International logistics

A delegation of more than 30 companies from the Bilbao port community, led by its Port Authority and the Uniport cluster, will present at Breakbulk Europe its comprehensive offer and its high specialization in complex logistics, along with its advanced decarbonization strategy.

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The Port of Bilbao showcases its potential at Breakbulk Europe 2026

A powerful delegation made up of more than 30 companies from the logistics and port community of Bilbao, headed by the Autoridad Portuaria y Uniport, its multimodal logistics cluster, will participate from June 16 to 18 in Breakbulk Europe, the world's leading event for the project cargo industry and breakbulk held in RóterdamThe event will bring together more than 12.000 professionals from 120 countries, consolidating its position as a key forum for the sector.

From their stand at the Hall 1 E25-F24The Basque port community will showcase its high specialization in such demanding logistics such as non-containerized cargo. The offer presented encompasses everything from terminals and shipping lines to consignees, freight forwarders, specialized transport companies, and customs management, forming a comprehensive value proposition for the most advanced industry. The objective is to strengthen the port's position. Bilbao as a European benchmark in this type of traffic, thanks to its infrastructure and the experience of its professionals.

Strategic traffic and an international wind hub

Load breakbulk already represents the 11% of total traffic from the port of Bilbao. According to data from the Autoridad PortuariaIn 2025, 3.405.175 tons of this type of cargo were transported, of which 1.186.649 tons corresponded to Ro-Ro traffic. Steel products, paper and pulp, machinery, and construction materials were the most prominent categories. The destination and origin markets are diverse, encompassing both short- and long-haul routes, with countries such as Bélgica, Reino Unido, the República de Irlanda, Indonesia, Taiwan, India y Corea del Sur.

Within this segment, the following takes on special relevance: special and project cargowhich includes wind turbine components, boilers, transformers, buses, and all kinds of extra-heavy and oversized parts. Experience in handling, stowing, securing, and packaging these items has made us a leading company in the field. Bilbao in a hub international wind power, as its area of ​​influence houses component manufacturing plants that use the port as their main export platform.

Key data of the Port of Bilbao on Breakbulk Cargo and Sustainability (2025-2030).

Indicator	Figure/Data
Breakbulk Traffic (2025)	3.405.175 tonnes
Ro-Ro Traffic (2025)	1.186.649 tonnes
Breakbulk load weight	11% of the port's total traffic
Installed electrical capacity (2026)	60 MW (compared to the current 30 MW)
Electricity capacity roadmap (2030)	175 MW

Success story: the operation of Petronor's eFuels plant

The port's ability to manage complex operations was recently demonstrated with the unloading, assembly and transfer of the four units that make up the structure of the future plant eFuels Demo UnitThis project, which Petronor (cluster Repsol) is being developed in the port's industrial docks, will be operational in 2027 and is part of a large hub of decarbonization. The structure, with a total weight of 1.200 tons and pieces of up to 535 tons and 33 meters in height, required the intervention of 190 professionals, demonstrating the high level of coordination and expertise of the port community.

An integrated and pioneering energy model in sustainability

As a key node of the European Core Network of the RTE-T, the port of Bilbao is implementing a integrated energy modelThis model combines land-based power supply to ships (OPS), financed by the UEwith its own renewable energy generation and storage. Autoridad Portuaria It is deploying 11 OPS connection points at key terminals and will increase its installed electrical capacity from 30 MW to 60 MW by the end of 2026, with a roadmap targeting 175 MW by 2030.

This strategy will allow Bilbao to be the first port of Atlántico fully AFIR readycapable of supplying 100% green electricity to docked vessels at competitive prices. In line with this commitment, the port joined the Alianza Net-Zero Mar, an association that promotes the decarbonization and electrification of the maritime-port sector in España.

Key points and frequently asked questions about the Port of Bilbao's offerings

What competitive advantages does the Port of Bilbao offer to a Spanish exporter of heavy machinery?

The port of Bilbao It offers a high level of specialization in handling oversized and overweight loads. It has adapted infrastructure, specific equipment, and an ecosystem of companies with proven experience in stowage, lashing, and special transport. Its role as hub Wind power demonstrates its ability to manage complex industrial projects on a recurring basis.

How does the port's sustainability strategy affect shipping companies?

The decarbonization strategy directly benefits shipping companies. The deployment of 11 OPS connection points powered by 100% green energy allows them to comply with European environmental regulations (such as the AFIR regulation), reduce their emissions in port, and access electricity at competitive prices. This improves both their operational sustainability and cost efficiency.

Which key markets can be reached from Bilbao for project cargo?

The port has global connectivity that covers both short-sea markets in Europa (as Bélgica, Reino Unido e Irlanda) as well as long-distance in Asia (including Indonesia, Taiwan, India y Corea del SurThis diversity of routes makes it a versatile logistics platform for the export industry.