The Cantabrian coast, with the Basque Country as its emblem of culture, gastronomy, 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 benchmark in the region.
The Port of Bilbao closed 2025 with 95 cruise ship calls and 181,017 passengers, a 31.67% increase over 2024, far exceeding the year's initial forecasts. Thanks to its two maritime terminals and its capacity to accommodate three ships simultaneously—without draft or length limitations—the port is equipped to receive all types of vessels, from the most modern cruise ships to the most exclusive luxury vessels.
Growth isn't limited to cruises: the ferries connecting Bilbao with the British Isles, operated by Brittany Ferries, also recorded record figures in 2025, with 162 calls and 156,546 passengers (an 8.37% increase compared to 2024). The Salamanca ferry connects with Rosslare (Ireland) twice a week, while the Galicia ferry links with Portsmouth (United Kingdom) with the same frequency. Both vessels run on liquefied natural gas and electricity.
From an environmental perspective, the port is making progress on its flagship electrification project: BilbOPS. Work on this ambitious plan has already begun in other areas of the port, while the phase corresponding to the cruise ship docks—Getxo 1 and Getxo 3—constitutes the final stage of the project, with commissioning scheduled for the end of 2027. Once completed, the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system will allow ships to connect to the port's electrical grid during their stay, reducing emissions and noise. The project includes three connection points, with the capacity to serve two ships simultaneously 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 from the CEF Transport 2021-2027 program. The plan also includes a 0.5 megawatt photovoltaic plant in the terminal's parking lot, which will contribute to the system's electricity supply.
With these figures, the Port of Bilbao consolidates its role as a strategic hub in the Cantabrian Sea, combining growth in passenger traffic with a firm commitment to electrification and environmental sustainability.
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