MSC launches two new long-haul services from Bilbao

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has added two new container services from the Port of Bilbao.

From 20 December, Bilbao will join a weekly direct service linking northern Europe with the west coast of South America. The Bilbao Port Authority called the move a major milestone for the port.

Bilbao will become the final port of call in Spain and the second-to-last in Europe before vessels sail to South America. This positioning will cut transit times for exporters and importers in the region.

MSC will deploy the largest container vessels ever handled by Bilbao’s terminal. The authority said this highlights the port’s growing capacity and competitiveness.

“This new service is excellent news for Bilbao and the wider region,” said Iván Jiménez, President of the Bilbao Port Authority. “It reinforces our role in the Atlantic Arc and opens new opportunities for local industry and exporters.”

The service also improves access to MSC’s wider network in northern Spain. Shippers in Bilbao’s hinterland gain faster and more direct routes to key South American markets.

The Port Authority thanked MSC and the local port community for their role in securing the new service.

New Bilbao–Halifax loop

MSC will also launch a direct service between Bilbao and Halifax from 22 December.

The route will offer an approximate two-week transit time. MSC said customers will benefit from guaranteed space and equipment on each sailing.

The service will strengthen Bilbao’s links with North America and improve access to major ports across the North Atlantic.

“This new connection confirms Bilbao’s strategic importance as a logistics hub,” the Port Authority said. “It creates new opportunities for regional businesses and supports long-term economic growth.”

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