Development of Infrastructures
Since 1992, the year in which the Outer Abra Extension works commenced, the Port Authority of Bilbao has invested nearly 500 million euros to reclaim more than two million square metres of land surfaces and three kilometres of piers from the sea.
Dock A1
The works of the First Extension Phase consisted of the creation of a basin measuring some 6 km², protected by a 3-metre long pier split into three alignments, and a secondary breakwater 1,400 metres long. Added to these sheltering works, an 850 metre long dock was built inside the harbour, perpendicular to the secondary breakwater with a draft of 21 metres and a surface area of 425,000 m². These works were completed in 1998.
Dock A2
Dock A2, measures 267,480 m², has 750 metres of berthing line and a draft of 20 metres. This investment amounted to 24.48 million euros, and it was completed in January 2003.
Punta Sollana Dock
The demand for industrial lands brought about the construction of this 387-metre long dock with a 20-metre draft to provide services for an esplanade of 250,000 m². The works were completed in September 2002.
Dock A3
This dock forms part of the second phase of the Port extension and measures 270,000 m², with a berthing line of 910 metres and a draft of 20 metres. The works were finished in April 2004.
Dock AZ1
This dock is 800 metres long, has a draft of 21 metres and measures 200,000 m². It was completed in October 2005.
Dock AZ3
This dock, situated at the start of the Zierbena Breakwater, is 560 metres long, has a 20-metre draft, and has an area of 240.000 m² reclaimed from the sea. The works began on 11 September 2007 and were completed in March 2010.
Dock AZ2
The AZ2 dock is 654 metres long, has a 21-metre draft, and a surface of 293,000 m². The works began in August 2008 and were completed in June 2011.
Cohesion Funds
In 2002 and 2003, the European Commission approved aid from the Cohesion Funds for Docks A3 and AZ1. This funding represented 51.95 and 34.57% of these projects respectively, and supposed co-financing of 17,781 and 16,777 thousand euros.
ERDF Funds
The first phase of the Port extension works was co-financed by the European Regional Development Funds with 37,623 thousand euros. The investment in the generation of 150,000 m² of industrial lands at Zierbena was also 50% co-financed with 4,799 thousand euros.