Spain’s port of Bilbao and Aquitania Ports Link, comprising the French ports of Bayonne, Bordeaux, Rochefort and Tonnay-Charente, and La Rochelle, have signed a cooperation agreement with the aim of strengthening cross-border relations.
As part of the agreement, signed on September 25, the ports will focus on the deployment of offshore wind energy on the Atlantic coast and advancing innovative infrastructure and technology initiatives.
A further aim is an “all-round improvement in the competitiveness of the commercial ports serving their hinterland”, said Bilbao Port Authority. “This will be done by creating an efficient and sustainable cross-border logistics arc, strengthening connectivity between ports and taking advantage of existing facilities to provide all business operators in the Atlantic arc of south-western France and northern Spain with a more efficient and integrated port service, with the possibility of developing real-time data exchanges.”
All parties will also undertake joint initiatives in sustainability and digitalisation. With regard to renewable marine energy, the ports will develop green technologies and optimise supply chains in south-western Europe.
