The shipping company MSC Spain has presented to its customers the expansion of the transatlantic route between Northern Europe and the main markets of the Caribbean, Central America and the west coast of South America via the Port of Bilbao.

At the event, held at the headquarters of the Bilbao Port Authority, MSC detailed the improvements to its NWC-USA-SAWC service, which made its first call in Bilbao on 19 December with the arrival of the MSC Carole. The service offers exporters in inland and northern Spain direct access to the main markets of the American continent, reducing transit times, eliminating intermediate calls and improving connectivity for the Spanish import/export sector.

This weekly direct service, the only one of its kind on the market, supports multiple sectors, such as raw materials, timber, food and beverages, and also provides access to MSC’s comprehensive range of logistics solutions, including land transport and customs clearance.

As Ignacio Ballester, assistant general manager of MSC Spain, explained, “MSC’s expanded connectivity and new route from the Port of Bilbao will bring many benefits to exporters not only in the Basque Country but throughout northern Spain. At MSC Spain, we work every day to improve our country’s connections with Latin America and the rest of the world by offering unbeatable transit times.”

For his part, Ivan Jimenez, president of the Bilbao Port Authority, highlighted the strategic relationship between Bilbao and MSC and the qualitative step forward in the form of two new shipping routes, one to the Pacific coast of South America and the other to the port of Halifax in Canada, which came into operation on 22 December. In his speech, Jimenez stressed that MSC “is not just a shipping company for Bilbao, but a strategic partner”, with which it shares a common vision on the future of shipping routes, logistics chains and sustainability. “These new connections consolidate Bilbao as a real gateway port, closely linked to the economic activity of its hinterland,” he said.

The president also stressed that the launch of these new routes “is not only good news for the Port of Bilbao and MSC, but for the entire logistics and industrial ecosystem”, and that it reflects a partnership equipped to meet the current and future demands of international trade, with a clear commitment to sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness.
Following the presentation, those in attendance had the opportunity to visit the container terminal managed by CSP Spain in the Port of Bilbao, where they had the chance to see at first hand the MSC Eugenia container ship in operation.

A relationship supported by highly positive trends in traffic

The traffic handled by MSC in the Port of Bilbao shows a clearly positive trend, with sustained growth in container traffic and a very stable balance between imports and exports, reflecting the strength of logistics flows and the solid relationship between both parties.
The main export markets are concentrated in North America and Latin America, with goods representative of the industrial fabric of the hinterland such as steel products, chemicals, construction materials, machine tools, paper, pulp, wines and beverages. In terms of imports, the most notable flows come from Asia and America, with industrial and agri-food goods.

The new connection with the Pacific coast of South America has seen a significant increase in traffic, with a balanced profile between exports and imports. This route diversifies markets, expands destinations and generates new opportunities for shippers, logistics operators and industry. Exports focus on construction materials, steel and chemical products, machine tools and paper, while imports show strong growth, especially in agri-food products, preserves and frozen fish.

Since its inception, the new line with Canada has established itself as a route of high strategic value, with strong growth and a clear focus on the export of industrial and high added-value products. In addition to strengthening direct trade relations with Canada, this connection reinforces flows with the United Kingdom and Northern Europe, consolidating the Port of Bilbao as a natural gateway to the North Atlantic.

Intermodality and electrification: real competitive advantages

Bilbao is committed to intermodality and rail transport, which effectively reduces emissions and congestion and improves logistical efficiency for shippers and operators. Additionally, the ambitious process of electrifying docks and developing renewable energy will position the Port of Bilbao as a benchmark for port decarbonisation on the Atlantic coast, with direct benefits in terms of reduced emission levels and operating costs for shipping companies and customers.
Source: Port of Bilbao