Ricardo Barkala Zumelzu was born in Portugalete (Bizkaia) in 1955. He is a captain in the Merchant Marine, holds a Master's degree in Business Management from the University of the Basque Country and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Deusto. He has completed doctoral coursework in applied economics and holds a diploma in advanced studies in public intervention and regional economics.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 65 – June 2023
After a long career sailing on large ships, he continued his professional life on land. Between 1991 and 2012, he began his career at the Bilbao City Council, where he held various positions and responsibilities, including: Director General of Lan Ekintza and Promobisa; President of the Association of Local Development Agencies of the Basque Country (GARAPEN); President of Bilbao Dendak; City Councilor of Bilbao; Councilor in charge of the areas of economic development and employment, human resources, social action, urban planning, housing, and the environment; and member of the governing bodies of BBK, Bilbao Iniciativas Turísticas, Lan Ekintza Bilbao, Promobisa, Matadero Bilbao, Mercabilbao, Funeral Services, Bilbao International Trade Fair, Elkarkidetza, Surbisa, and Municipal Housing.
From 2012 to 2015 he was Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor of the Basque Government, and from 2015 to 2018 he carried out a second stage in the Bilbao City Council, where he served, among other responsibilities, as first deputy mayor; councilor delegate of the area of works, services, urban rehabilitation and public space; coordinator of sustainability and urban development policies; president of the Bilbao Bizkaia Water Consortium; president of Surbisa; president of Bioartigas; member of Municipal Housing; member of the Bilbao Ría 2000 Society; representative of the City Council in AVIP (International Association of Cities and Ports); member of the Zorrotzaurre Coordination Board; representative in the Board of Trustees of the Port and Estuary of Bilbao Foundation; member of the Board of Trustees of the Bilbao Maritime Museum Foundation; and member of the Board of Directors of the Port of Bilbao.
On July 17, 2018, he was appointed president of the Port Authority of Bilbao.
You are a Captain in the Merchant Marine. Bilbao has gone from receiving passenger ships from Naviera Aznar and Naviera Ybarra to modern mega-cruise ships. What do you think of the evolution of cruise ships in recent years?
The truth is, I'm amazed at how much cruise ships have changed in the years I've been in the profession. Not only because of the size of some of them, but also because of the level of comfort and the services offered by both large and small vessels. Cruises used to be comfortable, but nowadays almost any ship, regardless of its length, offers a unique travel experience, with the amenities of a first-class hotel and all kinds of services: restaurants and bars, spas, onboard entertainment… It's a real luxury, and in many cases, it's within reach of all budgets.
We anticipate that cruise tourism will continue to grow in the coming years, and that the Port of Bilbao will become a leading destination in the Atlantic Arc.
I would also highlight the fact that shipping companies have invested in technical aspects, such as improvements to make vessels more maneuverable, ensure smoother navigation, and reduce engine noise and vibration. In addition, there is the effort to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and become more sustainable, something in which this Port Authority is also involved with projects that are strategic for us.
Bilbao also has a long tradition as a cruise homeport, dating back to the 1960s with the famous cruises to Northern Europe and even the North Cape. What has been the evolution of Bilbao as a cruise homeport in recent years? Is it still a goal for you?
The travel and cruise sector has changed considerably in these 50 years, but it has always been characterized by intense competition among ports to become a home port. At the Port of Bilbao, we make a great effort to earn the trust of cruise lines, offering them a wide range of services to make operations as simple and smooth as possible, including first-class passenger service to ensure their stay with us is as pleasant as possible. Becoming a home port doesn't happen overnight. This sector requires development and earning the trust of cruise lines, something Bilbao is achieving year after year, hence the results.
If we add to that the fact that we have a nearby and modern international airport and the tourist attractions of our surroundings, I think we have a winning combination for Bilbao to become an increasingly popular home port for cruise ships.
In fact, we expect to receive just over 80 cruise ships this year. Two of them will use our facilities in Getxo as their home port. One has already departed from Bilbao bound for Jerusalem, and soon the NCL Norwegian Gem will do the same for a cruise through Northern Europe.
Is the current level of air connections at Bilbao Airport sufficient for Getxo to take off as a cruise homeport?
We have an excellent international airport less than 12 kilometers from the cruise facilities in Getxo, which is a significant advantage for the development of the Port of Bilbao as a home port. Bilbao Airport, just 15 minutes away, provides convenient access for cruise passengers from major European markets, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
Some sources rate the cruise ship facilities at the Port of Bilbao as the best in the Bay of Biscay. How would you assess the docks and terminal where cruise ships berth in Getxo?
The truth is, we have fantastic facilities dedicated exclusively to cruise traffic, with three berths up to 366 meters long and drafts of up to 12 meters, capable of accommodating all types of cruise ships. Specifically, last season 78 cruise ships, ranging in length from 126 to 348 meters, docked with 109,348 tourists on board. Half were British, followed by Americans and Germans. This year we expect to break our record and, as I mentioned, exceed 80 cruise ships.
Furthermore, we have two maritime terminals equipped with all the necessary facilities for efficient operations and maximum passenger comfort. The Getxo 3 maritime terminal, in particular, boasts the highest standards of quality and maritime safety, placing it at the forefront of European terminals, and possesses all the characteristics required of a port of embarkation.
In some of Bilbao's other Atlantic ports, such as Bordeaux, Rouen, and Antwerp, cruise ships sail upriver and arrive right in the heart of their historic centers. Has the Port Authority of Bilbao considered facilitating the docking of cruise ships in the center of Bilbao, specifically for smaller vessels such as luxury and/or expedition ships?
Some yachts and small boats are already entering the estuary as far as the vicinity of the Bilbao Maritime Museum. This possibility is open. They would have to be small boats because the estuary's draft is a challenge in some sections, whereas our cruise terminal has no such restrictions, even at low tide. However, the major cruise lines are not considering this option, not only because of the draft, but also because of the proximity and ease of access between the port and the center of Bilbao. In the municipality of Getxo, you have the services you need in a beautiful setting, close to a beach, and with good road access that allows cruise passengers to reach Bilbao, San Sebastián, the wineries of La Rioja or Pamplona in a short time.
The first examples of the new generation of cruise ships using clean fuels like LNG are currently being delivered. Will the Port Authority of Bilbao invest in this fuel? Will they promote its use with reductions in fees, etc.?
The energy transition towards decarbonization will rely on a mix of energy sources, among which LNG will also play a key role. The Port of Bilbao has one of Spain's six regasification plants, and we not only currently have LNG-powered vessels, such as the aforementioned "Salamanca" from Brittany Ferries, but since 2020 we have also been operating the first LNG-powered tugboat in Europe, and we also have an LNG tanker loading facility for logistics and industry. Regarding fees, compliance is mandatory by law, and the guidelines are set by the government. The Port Authority of Bilbao already offers a 50% discount to zero-emission vessels in port, and with the development of electrification on our docks, all vessels in regular traffic will have the option of taking advantage of this fee reduction.
I believe we have a winning strategy to make Bilbao an increasingly popular home port for cruise ships.
More and more cruise ships are being equipped to connect to the local power grid in port (or “cold ironing” “shore power”), avoiding the operation of auxiliary diesel engines that generate emissions.
Does the Port of Bilbao plan to install this infrastructure?
The electrification of the docks is a strategic project for the Port of Bilbao, an initiative that combines service to shipping companies with sustainability and improving the quality of life for citizens and those of us who work at the port. We are already in the race to achieve this, with a very ambitious project underway that will provide 11 connection points and 20 outlets with a total of 30 MW of power by 2025. This will allow us to offer flexible service at the seven docks where regular shipping lines operate in the Port of Bilbao, including those in Getxo, which are dedicated exclusively to cruise traffic. In fact, the BilbOPS project includes laying a 1.43-kilometer cable under the waters of the Abra estuary to implement this technology. An important feature that distinguishes it from others is that it includes a photovoltaic plant for self-consumption.
We are going to invest 51.8 million euros in this project, and we have co-financing from the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the EC through the CEF Transport 2021-2027 program.
In addition, we are studying different actions, such as the installation of solar panels in the port facilities or the installation of more wind turbines so that the energy provided to ships has a renewable and sustainable origin.
What is the most popular attraction for cruise ship passengers docking in Getxo? What does the destination offer?
The options are numerous. One of the most popular destinations is Bilbao. The combination of cutting-edge architecture, with the Guggenheim Museum at the forefront, and the historic charm of the Old Town, along with its vibrant culture and gastronomy, delights tourists.
They also opt for excursions through the verdant interior of Bizkaia or to the coastal and historic towns of our region, such as Gernika and the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Visits to Donostia-San Sebastián, just 100 kilometers away via highway, are also very popular, as are trips to Rioja Alavesa, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Burgos, and even Pamplona (170 kilometers away, also via highway).
In other ports, there is some institutional opposition from regional governments and city councils, as well as anti-cruise ship movements. Bilbao has a reputation as a hospitable city. In this context, how would you describe the public's attitude towards cruise ships in Bilbao?
In our case, cruise tourism is welcomed warmly and with that distinctive hospitality. Furthermore, we collaborate with institutions to ensure that cruise traffic is sustainable and acts as a driving force for boosting the economy and tourism-related businesses in the Basque Country. Cruise ships arriving at the Port of Bilbao, along with ferries to the United Kingdom and Ireland, generate an economic impact of 22 million euros, representing 0.03% of the Basque Country's GDP and 0.05% of Bizkaia's GDP. These are significant figures, and we are working, in collaboration with various entities and the Basque Government's tourism department and Bilbao, to increase them.
How do you perceive the development of the Bay of Biscay in general, and the Cantabrian coast in particular, as a cruise ship destination?
Without diminishing the importance of traditional cruise destinations, the Cantabrian coast also has much to offer tourists, who are beginning to discover our tourist attractions, our history, our landscapes, our gastronomy, and our character. Visitors are amazed by everything they see, and many of those who discover us on their cruises later return to spend more time with us.
Furthermore, we occupy a strategic location on the Atlantic axis, making us a very attractive destination for trips to Northern Europe, for those heading to the Mediterranean, and even for transatlantic cruises.
And finally, how do you see the future of cruise tourism in Bilbao after the COVID-19 crisis?
The pandemic has changed many things we took for granted, but it has also increased our desire to discover the world, to travel, and to enjoy ourselves. The cruise sector has adapted perfectly to the new circumstances and the needs of travelers after the pandemic. Therefore, we anticipate that cruise tourism will continue to grow in the coming years, and that the Port of Bilbao will become a leading destination in the Atlantic Arc.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
