The new port of Playa Blanca was inaugurated last Friday, with modern facilities that will make the route between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura one of the most used in the Canary Islands.
The objective of the work that began in 2017 with a budget of more than 45 million euros has been to reorganize the dock that was already part of the port and expand the facilities with a new dock to the south to separate passenger ships from sports and fishing boats. The construction of the new dock allows the outer dock to have capacity for three berths with a ramp of lengths of 300 meters, 142 meters and 100 meters and for a bottom berth of 75 meters. The berths have more than 11,000 square meters of service esplanades.
As explained by the managing director of Puertos Canarios, Manuel Ortega, "the port has seen its berthing lines increased by 660 meters between both docks, to which we must add this new eco-sustainable passenger station, which has 1800 square meters, with a system that recycles the air and allows us to be in a pleasant atmosphere throughout the year."
One of the main attractions of the new port is the eco-sustainable station, which in addition to being an open space that takes advantage of natural air currents for ventilation without the need for air conditioning, also follows the predominant aesthetic on the island, respecting the legacy of César Manrique, while offering passengers, tourists and shipping company personnel a modern and diaphanous terminal that will contribute to the development of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The new terminal occupies 1,800 square meters and will house two commercial premises, nine offices, a toilet area and a restaurant.
The new breakwater, which reaches 300 meters in length, has allowed the different passenger shipping companies that operate in the port to now have more room to maneuver, which translates into greater safety for travelers and better cargo capacity for larger vehicles such as those for merchandise.
The port has 155 new berthing areas for sports boats and the parking area will also be improved with an increase in capacity and with six charging points for electric vehicles.
Specifically, there will be two parking spaces, one with 85 spaces in the sports dock area, and attached to the new terminal with space for another 190 more vehicles. The charging area can be used by up to four vehicles at a time. There will also be space for buses and four taxis as well as a fast passenger loading and unloading area next to the new terminal building.
The new port, since its launch, has shown the multiple benefits it is providing to the community that regularly uses the facilities, as well as to passengers, services and goods, increasing safety and space in the old berthing area that will now be used for fishing boats and recreational boats. In addition, the new dock increases the passenger reception capacity, exceeding one million in 2022 and with more than 320,000 vehicles between cars and industrial transport.
The new port of Playa Blanca has been executed by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Housing of the Government of the Canary Islands with funding from the ERDF funds.
