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Port of Bilbao to Promote Cruise Tourism at Miami International Fair

The Bilbao Port Authority will showcase its terminal electrification project at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami.

Generic image of Bilbao Port cruise terminal, with OPS connection point and solar panels in the background.
IA

Generic image of Bilbao Port cruise terminal, with OPS connection point and solar panels in the background.

The Port Authority of Bilbao will travel to Miami to promote cruise tourism at the international fair Seatrade Cruise Global, held from April 13 to 16, and will present its terminal electrification project.

The Port Authority of Bilbao is set to participate in Seatrade Cruise Global, the largest international cruise industry fair, taking place in Miami from April 13 to 16. The Port aims to promote cruise tourism, which brings significant benefits to local sectors such as hospitality, commerce, and culture.
During commercial meetings at the fair, representatives from the Port of Bilbao will detail their ongoing work to electrify cruise terminals using the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system. This technology will allow cruise ships to connect to the onshore electricity grid while in port, eliminating the need for auxiliary engines and significantly reducing emissions, noise, and vibrations. The project also incorporates photovoltaic generation to ensure that the supplied energy is predominantly green.
The cruise terminals in Getxo will feature two OPS connection points, each capable of supplying up to 16 MVA per vessel, adhering to international standards IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005. The project is currently in the execution phase, with the OPS expected to be operational by the end of 2027, and the first connections anticipated in 2028. This initiative is funded by the European Commission through the CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) program, the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan-NextGenerationEU, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The Port of Bilbao expects to exceed one hundred calls in 2026, accommodating vessels ranging from 104 to 344 meters in length and capacities from 113 to 6,334 passengers. A recent survey indicates that 90% of cruise passengers are satisfied or very satisfied with the port's facilities and embarkation/disembarkation operations. Other highly valued aspects include free Wi-Fi service and shuttle services connecting cruises with Metro Bilbao stations.
The Port of Bilbao emphasizes the successful investment made in Getxo to create modern and secure infrastructures, establishing the port as one of the main gateways for tourism in Euskadi and an international benchmark. Furthermore, Bilbao Airport, which handles 62% of international traffic in northern Spain, is only fifteen minutes from the cruise terminal. In 2026, it will offer nearly 70 destinations, including a direct flight to New York with United Airlines during the summer months.

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