More than 1.800 professionals from 27 countries participated in World Maritime Week.

 

Bilbao Exhibition Center became the meeting point for more than 1.800 professionals from 27 countries during the fifth edition of World Maritime Week, an event that marked a milestone in the discussion and search for solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing the global maritime industry. The event, held from March 19 to 21, consolidated its position as a benchmark international, promoting alliances, exchanging knowledge and rewarding excellence in a key sector for the World economy.

 

The fifth edition of World Maritime Week concluded with a highly positive outcome, following three days of intense activity at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre. The event brought together 1.855 professionals from the naval, fishing, port, and marine renewable energy sectors, who participated in a broad program of conferences, exhibitions, and business meetings.

 

The diversity and international scope of the event was evident with the presence of delegations from 27 countries, highlighting the participation of Belgium, Brazil, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Türkiye, in addition to Spain. Likewise, the program Hosted Buyers' Programme attracted buyers from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, facilitating more than 300 B2B meetings between exhibiting companies and potential clients.

 

The value of alliances between firms and sectors, as well as the importance of the exchange of
knowledge, are the main conclusions of an event positioned as a reference for
industry

 

 

“Collaboration and knowledge sharing are fundamental to addressing the challenges facing the maritime industry,” said one of the event organizers. “World Maritime Week has proven to be a key platform for fostering partnerships and generating new business opportunities.”

 

The conference program addressed crucial topics for the future of the sector, such as sustainable development, technological innovation, decarbonization, and competitiveness. More than 70 high-level speakers They participated in plenary sessions and roundtable discussions, offering a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities presented in each area.

 

“The maritime industry is undergoing a transformation, driven by the need to reduce its environmental impact and adapt to new technologies,” noted another participant. “Events like World Maritime Week are essential to fostering innovation and promoting sustainability in the sector.”

 

The exhibition area was attended by more than 50 companies, which presented their latest technological advances, services, and business opportunities within the framework of the blue economy. Attendees also positively evaluated the event organized by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia on the blue economy as a driver of business and territorial development, as well as the 20 Innovation Workshops.

 

Talent and training also had a prominent place in WORKinn For WMW, where more than 100 students and professionals had the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the sector and access job offers. In addition, the Technical Visits allowed more than 50 professionals to gain a close look at the region's maritime business community, visiting companies such as Wärstilä, Navacel, Bilbao Port Authority and Tecnalia.

 

One of the event's highlights was the presentation of the World Maritime Week Awards, which recognized excellence in the international maritime industry. The winners were INGETEAM (Sinaval Award), SATLINK (EuroFishing Award), Alejandro Aznar (Futureport Award), and SAITEC OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGIES (Marine Energy Week Award). In addition, tribute was paid to Inmaculada Ugarteche and Astilleros Gondán for their career and contribution to the sector.