The President of Puertos del Estado analyzes on-site with the President of the Port Authority the new projects for the Port of Las Palmas.

Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado, conducted an on-site analysis with the President of the Port Authority regarding new projects for the Port of Las Palmas. On his inaugural visit as President, he, accompanied by Luis Ibarra, President of the Port Authority, toured the facilities.

During the meeting with the Port Authority's management team, Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, accompanied by the Deputy Director of Human Resources and General Services, Jesús Requena, had the opportunity to learn about upcoming business ventures set to materialize throughout 2022.

One noteworthy project involves the infill of the Africa basin, resulting in a 100,000 m2 area created through the deposition of 470,000 m3 of material into the sea. This space will serve various purposes, notably emphasizing the transformation of the Port of Las Palmas into a major offshore wind technology center. Leveraging the expertise of the ship repair industry in this port in "oil & gas offshore" with platforms and drillships is a key aspect of this initiative.

They also became acquainted with the project 'New Border Facilities for Cargo Control at the Port of Las Palmas,' with a bidding budget of €9.6 million. The tendering process for the execution of the works is already underway. This infrastructure is pivotal, as the European Union aims to enhance border controls for greater safety, encompassing food, environmental, and customs security. With this project, the Port of Las Palmas will be at the forefront of this European process.

Another significant project pertains to the Minor Vessel Dock. The well-known Sports Dock cannot accommodate its extremely high demand for berths, prompting the Port Authority of Las Palmas to announce a tender for the expansion and management of this service.

Regarding cruise operations, the President of Puertos del Estado had the opportunity to review the work plan of the joint venture awarded the contract for managing and constructing four cruise terminals in the ports of Las Palmas, Arrecife, and Puerto del Rosario. It's worth noting that one contractual condition is the seamless continuation of cruise operations, necessitating a meticulous transitional plan over two seasons.

Additionally, Luis Ibarra reported on the commencement of constructing the new headquarters for Customs, Fiscal, and Surveillance Services of the Civil Guard, along with projects like the extension of the Reina Sofía dock and the recovery of the Fransari pontoon. Iconic projects for the Port of Las Palmas, such as the unprecedented Nueva Pescanova octopus breeding project, the La Luz Autoport Terminal vehicle silo, and the Rodritol luxury yacht shipyard, were also discussed.

On another note, representatives from Puertos del Estado and the Port Authority of Las Palmas addressed the need to align human resources with the reality of managing five ports across three islands. Sustainability was another focal point, with Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena learning about a CO2 absorption initiative in collaboration with the Spanish Algae Bank, along with other ongoing projects like dock electrification, platforms for tern breeding, inland water analysis, and marine species monitoring, among others.

The Presidents of Puertos del Estado and the Port Authority concluded their institutional visit with a fruitful meeting with the Port Community after touring the 18 kilometers of docks at the Port of Las Palmas.