The Port Authority of Las Palmas is finalizing the installation of two temporary terminals for cruise ship passengers. In total, some 5,000 square meters are distributed across seven tents on both sides of the Santa Catalina dock, ensuring operational capacity equivalent to that of the existing terminal during the demolition and construction of the new one.
This is part of the process initiated in late 2020 with the proposal to transfer the management of four new public cruise passenger terminals in the ports of Arrecife (two), Puerto del Rosario, and Las Palmas to indirect management. That process concluded in June 2022 with the awarding of the concession to Global Ports.
In September, the more than fifty palm trees that gave the Santa Catalina dock its distinctive character were transplanted to the Sanapú and Wilson piers. Temporary terminals are now being installed to receive passengers for the next two years, after which the demolition and construction of the new Las Palmas cruise passenger terminal will begin without disrupting dock operations.
The reorganization of port services for cruise ships at the Santa Catalina dock, resulting from the concession obtained by Global Ports for more than 8,500 square meters for the construction of a public cruise terminal, has a planned investment of 32 million euros.
This new public cruise terminal at the Port of Las Palmas will have a constructed area of over 12,600 square meters across two floors. The building's design criteria include integration, functionality, smart terminal features, wayfinding, security, accessibility, and eco-efficiency. "We have placed great emphasis on ensuring the building is highly energy efficient," explains Luis Ibarra.
The new terminal (with four berths totaling 1,587 meters and a depth of -11 meters) will be connected to ships by two fixed gangways, one parallel to the western pier (279 meters long and 4 meters wide) and the other parallel to the eastern pier (190 meters long and 4 meters wide). Access to the mobile gangways will be from the fixed gangways.
The new terminal at the Port of Las Palmas will feature an esplanade of over 17,800 square meters, with pedestrian and landscaped areas. This space will once again include a palm grove that “will define the access boulevard and pay homage to the city's name,” he concludes.
