Vasco Shipping Services, 25 years navigating foreign trade from the Key Platform of the Port of Bilbao

 

Vasco Shipping Services (VSS), a fundamental piece of the BASQUE Group, commemorates its 25 years in the Making of experience with a central event next Friday, October 10th, at the Abba Euskalduna Hotel in Bilbao. The celebration will bring together clients, suppliers, collaborators and staff from its offices in the Basque Country, Galicia and the Canary Islands, along with executives from COSCO in Spain, the Bilbao Port Authority and representatives of business associations.

 

Two and a Half Decades of Commitment and Growth

 

Since its founding in 2000, VSS has stood out for its adaptability and its deep commitment to the sector, managing nearly 750.000 TEUs from its headquarters in Bilbao, Vigo y Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – City Life, History & Island VibesThe company is one of the few agents independent representing a shipowner of global relevance.

 

Mikel Urrutia, general manager of Vasco Shipping, underlines the company's philosophy: “These 25 years have been a journey of growth, adaptation and commitment to our clients and the sector.”. The creation of VSS responded to the need to establish an independent structure that would drive the growth of services COSCO in their geographical areas, offering maritime and multimodal transport solutions competitive, backed by a giant in the sector and with the professionalism and proximity of his team. Urrutia highlights that giving “The best advice and service to customers is our core business".

 

Despite technological changes, the CEO reiterates the value of perseverance and continuous evolution"Technical resources have changed, but some things remain unchanged. We are constantly learning new technologies, and our mission is to continue evolving with the sector, which reflects nothing other than the evolution of commerce and industry in general.". VSS focuses on constant improvement, combining the transmission of internal knowledge and external training to continue accompanying “to our clients on this fascinating journey".

 

COSCO: A Strategic Partner for European and African Expansion

 

The relationship with the Chinese shipping company COSCO dates back to 1991, when the VASCO Group signed the first agency contract. Over time, VSS has established itself as a partner of COSCO Shipping Lines Spain y COSCO Shipping Lines Central Europe, extending its influence to countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, and even contributing to the development of containerized transport in West African countries.

 

"Working closely with people from such different realities has undoubtedly enriched us.", comments Mikel Urrutia on the African expansion. Today, with COSCO and fourth largest shipping company in the world in terms of cargo capacity, VSS maintains a philosophy of trust and personalized advice. The agency's future is directly linked to the transformation of the shipowner, “adapting our work and our structure to the reality drawn by the shipowner", says Urrutia.

 

The Support of the VASCO Group and the Vital Role of the Port of Bilbao

 

Belong to BASQUE Group, founded in 1970, has provided VSS with the solidity to grow and the possibility of accessing high value-added services —such as HR, Legal, New Technologies and Marketing— that would be unaffordable for a smaller company. Beyond the structure, the Group provides a strategic vision and transfer of values which are reflected in an ethical code and a commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.

 

The headquarters of VSS in Santurtzi, within the Port of Bilbao, is a strategic pillar. From this enclave, VSS has connected Europe with Asia, America and Africa. Mikel Urrutia He is categorical about the importance of the port: “With modern facilities and rail and road connections, the Port of Bilbao remains essential to the company's growth. When it comes to designing services for our customers, the Port of Bilbao is our first choice. Bilbao is not just our origins; it's our driving force. We were born here, and here we continue to invest in the future.".