Exactly 100 Years Ago: E. Erhardt y Cía. Celebrates a Century with ACBE
Today marks exactly 100 years, since January 31, 1922, when the founding act of the Bilbao Port Ship Agents & Stevedores Association (ACBE) was signed. Thirty-eight companies established what was then called the Bilbao Ship Agents Association at the Chamber of Commerce.
Last Friday, January 28, a reception was held at the Bilbao City Hall, presided over by Mayor Juan María Aburto, to honor the Association and the three founding companies still active within ACBE: Bergé y Cía., MacAndrews y Cía. (now Containerships CMA CGM) and E. Erhardt y Cía.
Our president, Eugenio Erhardt, received a copy of the Association’s founding act from the mayor. He was accompanied by Eugenio Erhardt Barrenechea, Alberto Uriarte, Ronald Twigt, and Juan Correa, who served as ACBE president from 2008 to 2016.
The mayor praised the honored companies, stating: “Without a doubt, these three companies are the crown jewels of ACBE.” He also remarked: “From the times when MacAndrews’ ships—the so-called ‘macandrios’—brought that distinctive British touch to Bilbao, the Bergé and Erhardt names have taken deep roots in our society, extending across much of the institutional and business framework of this long century in Bilbao’s history.”
A hundred years of loyalty to the port and the city where we were born and where we proudly remain. A century later, we continue to work with dedication and commitment to the economic development and progress of our community.
