Global Ports Holding Plc (“GPH”), the world’s largest cruise port operator, and its local partner SEPCAN S.L. (“SEPCAN”), together with the Las Palmas Port Authority has revealed its plans for its Las Palmas Project at Seatrade Cruise Med held in Malaga, Spain.
On August 22nd, Global Ports Holding had announced the completion of the concession agreement of 3 ports in the Canary Islands: Las Palmas, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote Cruise Ports through Global Ports Canary Islands S.L. (“GPCI”), an 80:20 joint venture between GPH and our local partner Sepcan S.L. GPCI will start operations of the three cruise ports in October 2022, ahead of the peak winter season, with over 650 scheduled calls in Las Palmas, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura together.
Global Ports Holding hosted the Las Palmas Project Reveal presentation and cocktail on September 14th at its booth at the Seatrade Cruise Med where the cruise industry executives were in attendance. Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado, Luis Ibarra, President of Las Palmas Port Authority, Mehmet Kutman GPH Chairman and CEO and Javier Rodríguez Sánchez, GPH Regional Director West Med & Asia introduced the official project during the event. GPH, together with its local partner Sepcan has revealed its plans for the 3 ports in the Canary Islands with an investment of €40 million.
Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado (the Spanish Ports National Board) said: “The cruise sector is one of the reference traffic in Spanish ports of general interest. It has been consolidated over the years, today having some of the European ports of reference for cruise ships, such as the Port of Las Palmas.”
Luis Ibarra, Las Palmas Port Authority President said: “In the last decade, the Port Authority of Las Palmas has invested 45 million euros in infrastructure for cruise operations and a further 20 million euros is planned up to 2026. We have reinforced competitiveness and quality in the provision of port services for the demanding cruise traffics. The common project of Global Ports Holding and Ports of Las Palmas is a great development born out of determination, commitment and professionalism”.
Mehmet Kutman, GPH Chairman and CEO highlighted the importance of the Project for GPH: “Spain has always been an important country for GPH as it has been the milestone of its expansion into the international cruise markets. With our local partner Sepcan group, we look forward to work in partnership with Port Authority of Las Palmas and all stakeholders for this project ”
Javier Rodríguez Sánchez, GPH Regional Director West Med & Asia said “Today, we are delighted to reveal our latest project of 3 ports in the Canaries. The Las Palmas project is a proof of our continued efforts in sustainability and shows our commitment not only to social benefits but our care for the environment. We look forward to enhance guest experience and cruise operations with the local expertise and global knowledge in the Canaries and we also look forward to continue working in our expansion projects in the region.”
The project features a new sustainable terminal building and infrastructure improvement in the Las Palmas Cruise Port. The project includes a 14,400m2 terminal build from sustainable recycled materials to achieve low carbon footprint that will be able to provide smoother homeporting and transit operations at one of the busiest ports in Spain. Operational by 2024 cruise season, Las Palmas Cruise Port, with an ability to handle the largest cruise ships in the world simultaneously, will have new retail and F&B experiences, 40 bus capacity and an improved operational structure.
Las Palmas ports has increased the number of ports of GPH in Spain to 7. As the third busiest cruise destination in Spain, Las Palmas located in East-Mid Atlantic at the Canaries. A popular destination for winter cruising thanks to the archipelago’s mild climate, its major cruise port, Las Palmas is also a year-round destination thanks to its international air connections. With its sandy beaches and beautiful turquoise waters, Las Palmas brings together culture scenery.
