Introduction

The Bilbao Shipowners Association, pioneer and predecessor of the Basque Shipowners Association, was founded in Bilbao on 9th March 1900, building up more than a century of existence, and becoming therefore the oldest shipping association in Spain.

Along its century of associative existence it has welcomed into its midst more than one thousand five hundred vessels belonging to almost four hundred shipping companies, not only from the Basque Country but also from the rest of Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, Bahamas, Bermuda, etc. During a very long time the Basque fleet, and consequently the fleet registered in the Association represented two thirds of the Spanish fleet, as expected from a country with such an extraordinary maritime deeply roots as ours.

In the same way, the Association has taken part in the historic evolution of the sector as it is in the massive education of professionals, firstly on board its training ship “Ama Begoñakoa” and presently on board the vessels of its associated fleet; in the foundation of the International Shipping Federation, in the creation and preservation of a recruitment service since 1915; in the drafting of 1956´s Law on Protection and Renewal of the Merchant Fleet, that meant its whole rejuvenation; in the foundation of the Maritime Administration School, in the creation of the Canary Islands Special Registry, in the vigilance of the performance of the regulations relative to maritime cabotage, in the introduction of the tonnage tax, in the endorsement of Latin-american titles by the European Union and a large etcetera exhaustive to be related here.

Leant on this vast experience and tradition, we face up to the new challenges in the future with the same enthusiasm and confidence of our predecessors.

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ACTIVITIES

The Basque Shipowners Association has among its main objectives the education of new seafarers, properly qualified for fleets with more and more sophisticated and specialized vessels and that will enable the essential generation renewal.

On the other side, the shortage of seafarers not only would threaten to bring part of the world fleet to a standstill but it also would affect the whole maritime sector (shipping companies, shipping agents, classification societies, insurance companies, freight forwarders, pilots, maritime safety and rescue, administration, etc.) works where previous experience at sea is absolutely requested.

The Association, composed by most of the shipping companies from the Basque Autonomous Community, has been cooperating with the Basque Government, through the Directorate of Ports and Maritime Affairs, in the fulfillment of its objectives, among them, the support to the maritime transport sector and the organization of practical and theoretical training programs that allow the recycling and improvement of the future professionals of the Merchant Marine

Thus, a boarding program was established for students of the School of Engineering, from the Marine and Nautical and Maritime Transport Degrees, on associated ships, which has facilitated the completion of the statutory practices of more than 2,700 bridge and engine students, who now occupy prominent positions both on board the ships registered in the Association and in the decision centers ashore.

These training periods are absolutely essential in order to obtain professional qualifications that will enable the university graduates to work aboard a vessel as deck or engine officers.

The fact that such qualifications have an international nature widen labour horizon worldwide, something impossible to get with any other university degree.

This program is pioneer in the European Community, being recommended since 2001 and emulated by the main maritime powers including the European Commission.

Besides the training program for students of the high schools of navigation and naval engines aboard our associated vessels, the Association organizes courses addressed to our associated shipping companies’ sea and land staffs, concerning the proper vessel management as well as all new regulations internationally adopted.

The Association is also committed to promoting the vocation of the maritime profession through a program of visits to schools initiated in 2019, which aims to introduce new generations to the sector and the wide range of professional opportunities it offers.