In 2017, the port of Playa Blanca reached the highest turnover figure in the Ports Canarios network with a total of 1,118,779 passengers, 4.58% more than the previous year. For its part, the most exponential growth has been experienced by the traffic of travelers registered between the ports of Órzola and La Graciosa, which has increased by 21.42% in relation to 2016, with a total of 438,318 passengers.
In total, the public entity Puertos Canarios registered a traffic of 4,768,532 regular line passengers between the ports of regional ownership during the past year 2017, which represents a total increase of 12.22% in relation to the year 2016.
"We have closed the year 2017 with record figures for regular passenger traffic. Nearly 520,000 more passengers have been added than in 2016, which consolidates the autonomous ports as a traffic and connection platform between the different islands. Without a doubt, the evolution of inter-island maritime passenger transport is positive and encouraging, and we will continue working to favor this situation," said Councilor Pablo Rodríguez, who chairs the Puerts Canarias entity.
"The data reached are the result of the improvement of the socio-economic situation of the population, the commitment of Puertos Canarios to convert the transit ports as a platform for union between the Islands, the launch of the interior line of La Gomera and the increase of the 75% bonus on the tickets of Canarian residents," said its managing director, Manue Ortega.
Figures from the rest of the archipelago
As for the rest of the ports of the archipelago, the port of Las Nieves, located in Gran Canaria, registered a traffic of 1,012,892 passengers, which represents an increase of 18.17% in relation to the year 2016, while the port of Morro Jable, located in Fuerteventura, has achieved an increase of 12.17% with a total of 594,924 passengers, consolidating itself as one of the main connections of the island of Majorera with Gran Canaria.
On the island of La Gomera, with the launch of the interior maritime lines, the port of Vueltas registered a total of 35,333 regular passengers and the port of Playa Santiago the figure of 11,149 passengers. One of the interior lines, the one operated by Fred Olsen, was launched on September 9 and communicates with a frequency of three trips per day the ports of Vueltas and Playa Santiago with the state port of San Sebastián de La Gomera. This is a line that was reactivated after remaining inactive for five years, after ceasing to operate in 2012. And on the other hand, the second line launched, operated by Naviera Armas, began on October 21 with a daily connection and two on the weekend between the state ports of Los Cristianos, located in Tenerife, San Sebastián de La Gomera, and the autonomous port of Vueltas.
