Port of Bilbao posts best H1 growth in 22 years

July 23, 2026

The Port of Bilbao handled 17.31 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026, an increase of 1.89 million tonnes and 12.3 per cent up on the same period last year, marking the highest year-on-year (YoY) growth recorded at the start of a year for the port in 22 years, or since 2004.

The port’s start to the year was disrupted by storms in January and part of February, which affected the majority of Spain’s state-owned ports and drove a 9.5 per cent YoY decline in cargo handling at Bilbao in January alone.

Despite this, the subsequent months, from February to June, recorded the highest volumes of cargo handled over that period in 18 years.

Imports rose by around 14 per cent and exports by 9 per cent, with short-sea and deep-sea traffic continuing to move towards parity.

Short-sea shipping now accounts for 51 per cent of total traffic, against 49 per cent for deep-sea, reflecting the port’s positioning to serve both European and transoceanic markets.

READ: Port of Bilbao welcomes largest containership to date

On the financial side, the turnover of the Bilbao Port Authority stood at €39.8 million ($45.4 million) in the first half of 2026, up 6.4 per cent compared with €37.4 million ($42.6 million) over the same period in 2025. Bank debt stands at €69 million ($78 million), whilst cash reserves total €85 million ($97 million), positioning the Authority to fund its ongoing investment programme.

Planned investment for the 2026 financial year totals €87.1 million ($99.4 million), of which 48 per cent had already been spent as at 30 June.

The Authority’s Business Plan sets out total planned investment of €308.8 million ($352.4 million) for the period 2026–2030, covering areas including the energy transition, basic infrastructure, intermodality, digitalisation, innovation and port-city integration.

The Authority said its financial position would allow it to continue pursuing these strategic investments whilst maintaining financial and managerial autonomy, even as the wider international backdrop remains marked by geopolitical tension and tariff uncertainty. To date, the port said, this uncertainty has had no significant impact on traffic volumes.