At the beginning of November, port operator Global Ports Holding began construction of new cruise terminals in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. With an investment of more than 40 million euros, this initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy.

The British company, which operates 30 cruise ports in 17 countries and serves more than 18 million passengers a year, has chosen the Canary Islands construction company Satocan to carry out the work, the latter having four decades of experience in marine construction on the islands,. The aim of the project is to improve the user experience and sustainable development of the cruise industry in the Canary Islands.

Environmental impact
The cruise ports of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are managed by Global Ports Canary Islands, a joint venture between Global Ports Holding (80%) and Sepcan (20%). With a commitment to sustainability and the environment, the construction of the new terminals will use recycled and eco-friendly materials to minimise waste, preserve natural resources and habitats, and minimise environmental impact.

The new terminals will incorporate cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices to reduce their carbon footprint and maximise the use of renewable resources. The buildings have been designed as eco-efficient, sustainable infrastructure with a functional design that combines recycled materials, solar energy and waste management.

Transit operations
The largest of the three projects is Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, one of the busiest cruise ports in Spain. The terminal will be located on the Santa Catalina dock and will consist of a 14,000-square metre, two-storey building with three jet bridges that will enable it to serve up to four cruise ships simultaneously.

In Lanzarote, the company has taken on the construction of two terminals in two specialised cruise docks in Arrecife, where it will be able to serve several ships simultaneously. The Naos terminal will consist of a single-storey building of 1,106 square metres and will provide services for both transit and home port operations, with a focus on operational efficiency and improved safety.

Ancillary services
The 556-square metre Mármoles terminal will be able to serve up to three cruise ships simultaneously. It will be supported by a 426-square metre satellite terminal offering a range of ancillary services for passengers and crew.

In Fuerteventura, the terminal at Puerto del Rosario, next to the town of the same name, will have an innovative modular design of 924 square metres and will include a restaurant with an open terrace. As in the other terminals, accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility will be guaranteed and advanced security measures will be put in place.

^{Photo: Global Ports Holding}