The following release was published by Port of Bilbao:
Between January and June of this year, traffic through the Port of Bilbao increased by 3% compared to the same period last year. Throughput in tonnes amounted to 16.6 million, an increase of 450,000 tonnes.
Figures for liquid bulk and dry cargo were up 3% and 2%, respectively, with solid bulk increasing by 14.5% within the category of dry cargo. Containerised cargo was up 1% in terms of TEUs, whilst the volume of ro-ro freight increased by 2% in terms of UTIs (intermodal transport units). Conversely, conventional cargo, mainly steel products, fell by 6.5%
In terms of types of goods, the biggest increases were in diesel, natural gas, soya beans, cereals, biofuels, minerals, coal and coke, petrol and machinery. Likewise, the 17% increase in fruit and vegetable traffic is what mostly accounts for the 29% increase in reefer containers (refrigerated goods). Figures fell mainly for fuel oil, crude oil, chemicals and steel products.
Throughput of special transport for loading purposes increased by 22%. The number of vessels / calls also rose by 5.4%, as did their size, with a growth of 8.5% in GTs (Gross Tonnage, a measure of vessel capacity). In total, 1,361 vessels of all types and sizes called at the port in this six-month period.
Source: Port of Bilbao