The number of teus handled grew by 6% to 554, 557 units. The European Atlantic, representing 41% of container traffic, registered the greatest growth in absolute terms (+8%) and increases with France and Finland were outstanding. The main goods to use the container are iron and steel, and what are known as “others”.
General cargo, among which iron and steel are also outstanding, was the one to experience the greatest growth (+ 6%) and stood at 3.98 million tons. In this category, the greatest increase - 102% - came about in trade with China, which for the first time tops the classification.
Traffics in solid bulks went up by 6% and stood at 5.83 million tons. Russia is still the main market followed by Brazil, while the principal goods were coal and coke, scrap and soybeans and powder.
Finally, liquid bulks increased by 2% to stand at 22.68 million tons. Russia again leads with this packaging followed by Iran and Nigeria. The leading liquid bulk is crude oil, followed by fuel-oil y gas-oil.
In general, traffic with the European Atlantic countries, which has increased by 3%, makes up almost half the total traffic in the Port of Bilbao. In dry cargo, the United Kingdom is still its main international market, followed by Russia and the Netherlands. With regards to long distance, it is the expansion of the transoceanic Asian markets, such as China, with a 59% increase in dry cargo, and India, which increased by 67%, that were outstanding. Other important growing markets are to be found in both North and South America, where the United States and Brazil respectively lead in dry cargo.
INVESTMENT
In 2007, 21.9 million euros was set aside for investment, while turnover rose to 67.2 million euros. Funds generated by operations stood at 38.1 million.
Among infrastructure works, mention must be made of the new commercial dock, the fruit of the continuous demand made for land by companies with port traffic, and the inauguration of the new Border Inspection Post. Similarly, 2007 was the year when the services offered by our electronic commerce platform were expanded.
On the other hand, private enterprise is making important investments in the Port of Bilbao, outstanding among which are the commercialisation of the Storage and Distribution Zone, the creation of new general cargo warehouses and the building of two bio-diesel plants.
Investment to be made in 2008 will reach 68.8 million euros.
