The Mississippi Valley Trade & Transport Council

Bilbao to host Ballast Water conference

(Posted on 09/11/18)

The event, organised by Port Authority of Bilbao and AZTI, is aimed at port-sector companies and technological and training centres wishing to know the application of the challenges this convention represents

On 10 December, the Port of Bilbao will host the second RETOLASTRE conference on the “International Ballast Water Convention: application and challenges”.

The event is free and its objective is to respond to the issues brought about by this convention, whose enforcement is compulsory for the competent authorities and which seeks to avoid the transfer of invasive species among seas. It will affect 50,000 merchant vessels, and according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), its application will mean a cost of 100,000 million dollars.

Thus, the maritime sector and technological and training centres have great challenges and opportunities ahead, and at this conference, attempts will be made to respond to them.

Last day for registration is 30 November and attendance is limited.

The Port of Bilbao works with all classes of goods and vessels. It is open and operative 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

In order to increase traffic, the new Port Authority of Bilbao Strategic Plan considers it necessary to strengthen intermodality and the dry ports network which it is part of. In particular, the terminal has a 750-metre train reception and despatch track together with two electrified shunting tracks for 650-and 100-metre operations, as well as two 750-metre long tracks for loading and discharge. The track gauge is Iberian, although it can switch to international standard.