The Port of Bilbao has reported a 3 per cent increase in container throughput over the first six months of the year compared to the year prior.
Throughput in tonnes amounted to 16.6 million, an increase of 450,000 tonnes.
Figures for liquid bulk and dry cargo were up 3 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively, with solid bulk increasing by 14.5 per cent within the category of dry cargo.
Containerised cargo was up 1 per cent in terms of TEU. Conversely, conventional cargo, mainly steel products, fell by 6.5 per cent.
Throughput of special transport for loading purposes increased by 22 per cent.
The number of vessels called also rose by 5.4 per cent, as did their size, with a growth of 8.5 per cent in Gross Tonnage. In total, 1,361 vessels of all types and sizes called at the port in this six-month period.
The main markets have been the US, Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
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The Port of Bilbao reported that 40 per cent of its traffic is attributable to imports and exports with Atlantic European countries, 19 per cent with North Atlantic America, 8 per cent with South Atlantic America, a further 8 per cent with Atlantic Africa, 6 per cent with Asia Pacific and a further 6 per cent with Indian Asia.
Earlier this year, British shipping company, Ellerman City Liners, announced the launch of its weekly direct service between the Port of Bilbao and the US East Coast.
