World Maritime Week, the major meeting point for the global maritime industry, will once again have a strong international presence at its fifth edition, held from 19 to 21 March at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre. The congress section, the exhibition area and the extensive networking agenda of this year’s programme all foresee a forum at the highest level with major names from the world market.

Countries including Chile, Poland, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, the United Kingdom and Turkey, for example, are some of the places from where buyers participating in the Hosted Buyers’ Programme will originate. This initiative, one of the main attractions of WMW, adopts the requests of the exhibiting companies themselves, guaranteeing the presence of shipowners, shipping companies and national and international shipyards. In addition to the aforementioned countries, the organisers of the event are still actively working to secure the participation of professionals from Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Norway.

Among the companies confirmed for the exhibition area, Bergen Engines (Norway), Carlier Chaines (France), GEA Westfalia (Germany), Rings Around The World (USA),  and Waterborne (Belgium) are among those arriving from outside Spain. Alongside these, companies from Galicia, Madrid, Asturias, Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia, among other autonomous communities, will present their latest innovations and share space in the Luxua pavilion with the rest of the participating organisations and associations.

The four sectors present at the event (shipping, fisheries, ports and marine renewable energies) will also have a space for conferences, debates and keynotes. Participants at the congresses include representatives of the European Commission, the OECD, CPMR, Innovation Norway and companies active on all five continents.

Recently, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, through its Secretary of State for Trade, has awarded World Maritime Week the recognition of Full Internationality.

 

WORKinn for WMW and extensive programme

For the first time, World Maritime Week will include WORKinn for WMW: an employment forum designed to address the challenge of generational change, bridge the gap between the needs of companies and the lack of skilled training for individuals, and to raise the interest of young people in the maritime sector. This will take place on 20 March and will provide interested parties with the opportunity to use virtual navigation and welding simulators, access job offers and receive information on specialised educational programmes and guidance services in relation to their studies.

World Maritime Week 2025 will also host the second edition of the WMW Awards, created with the aim of recognising the achievements of stakeholders who work to promote the maritime sector. Applications for this year’s edition can be submitted until 19 February.

The last day of the event will also focus on technical visits to shipyards, technology companies, equipment and propulsion suppliers and offshore platforms. It will be a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the business fabric of the maritime sector and the day-to-day workings of these firms, as well as to promote the exchange of ideas and help strengthen business connections.