Port accessThe period between January and June saw the loading and unloading of 15 million tonnes at the facilities of the Port of Bilbao, which is 11% more than during the same period last year.
It is worth highlighting the 22% rise in liquid bulk cargoes, mainly due to the increase in crude oil, fuel oil and petrol.
Solid bulk cargoes remain the same while containerised traffic fell 3%, mainly owing to the fall in iron and steel products. There was a slight fall in the number of TEUs (-1%). Conventional merchandise fell 9% due to the fall in paper and pulp and automotive components. By contrast, roll-on/roll-off goods grew 2%.
Markets
During the first half of the year, exports made through the Port of Bilbao rose 20% while imports rose 7%.
Half of the external traffic continues to have its origin or destination in Atlantic Europe, which saw a 27% rise. In terms of the volume of goods, it is followed by Atlantic North America, Atlantic South America and Central America.
Investments
This year the Port Authority is set to invest 40.5 million euros, of which 13.8 million euros have already been implemented. So far, the main works that have been carried out are: at the cruise vessel pier abutting the Algorta dock for the building of a third mooring quay; in Axpe (Erandio) with the aim of increasing draughts and reinforcing the piers; and at the AZ-2 and AZ-3 piers to pave the commercial area.
The turnover for the first six months of the year rose to 30.5 million euros, which signifies an increase of 0.25% compared with the same period in 2012.
Increase in railport traffic
8% of the cargo enters and leaves the port facilities by rail, a figure that rose to 13% with respect to container traffic. Railport traffic grew 3% between January and June. Right now, the operators offer weekly services starting from and going to Vitoria, Burgos, Madrid, Guadalajara, Seville, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Castellón, Valencia and Murcia.
