The Cantabrian coast—with the Basque Country as a symbol of culture, cuisine, and unique landscapes—has established itself as one of the most attractive destinations in northern Spain for maritime tourism. At the heart of this dynamic lies the Port of Bilbao, whose commitment to innovation and sustainability makes it a model for the region.
The Port of Bilbao closed out 2025 with 95 cruise ship calls and 181,017 passengers, a 31.67% increase over 2024, far exceeding the initial projections for the year. Thanks to its two cruise terminals and its capacity to accommodate three ships simultaneously—with no restrictions on draft or length—the port is equipped to handle all types of vessels, from the most modern cruise ships to the most exclusive luxury liners.
Growth isn’t limited to cruise ships: the ferries connecting Bilbao with the British Isles, operated by Brittany Ferries, also posted record figures in 2025, with 162 port calls and 156,546 passengers (+8.37% compared to 2024). The Salamanca ferry connects to Rosslare (Ireland) twice a week, while the Galicia ferry connects to Portsmouth (United Kingdom) with the same frequency. Both ships run on liquefied natural gas and electricity.
From an environmental perspective, the port is making progress on its flagship electrification project: BilbOPS. Construction on this ambitious plan has already begun in other areas of the port, while the phase involving the cruise ship terminals—Getxo 1 and Getxo 3—constitutes the final stage of the project, with commissioning scheduled for late 2027. Once completed, the OPS (Onshore Power Supply) system will allow ships to connect to the port’s power grid during their stay, reducing emissions and noise. The project includes three connection points, with the capacity to serve two ships at a time using mobile systems with an operational range of up to 100 meters.
The total investment amounts to 78 million euros, of which 14.2 million come from European funds under the CEF Transport 2021-2027 program. The plan also includes a 0.5-megawatt solar power plant in the terminal’s parking lot, which will contribute to the system’s electricity supply.
With these figures, the Port of Bilbao is solidifying its role as a strategic hub in the Cantabrian region, combining growth in passenger traffic with a firm commitment to electrification and environmental sustainability.
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