Piracy incidents are expected to grow by 35% worldwide in the first quarter of 2025
By Naucher There was a sharp increase in incidents of piracy and armed robbery against merchant vessels in the first
The Port Authority of Las Palmas, in accordance with its responsibilities in managing the organization, coordination, and control of port maritime traffic and associated operations, has committed to upgrading its Maritime Control Center with the acquisition of cutting-edge electronic equipment to implement an advanced maritime traffic service.
The president of the public body, Beatriz Calzada, emphasized that this is a pioneering system in Spain for spill detection, as early detection allows for quicker response and, consequently, minimizes environmental impact. “This system,” Calzada stated, “places us at the forefront in maritime traffic control systems, and we estimate it will be in the initial operational phase six months after the contract signing date.”
Among the new electronic equipment are advanced maritime traffic control software and five radar systems, one of which will be dedicated exclusively to the detection of hydrocarbons in anchorage areas. This will enable early detection of any type of accidental spill, whether during the day or night, thus minimizing its potential environmental impact.
Another radar will be exclusively dedicated to detecting small vessels, ensuring proper identification of small boats as they approach the port and the marina. Additionally, radar systems will be installed at the ports of Salinetas and Arinaga. This is a scalable system, which means that in a later phase, additional control systems can also be added to the ports of Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario, centralizing the entire service in a single main location.
The contract award, approved by the Board of Directors of the Port Authority in a meeting held this Thursday, has been granted to the company Navcom Team S.L. with a base tender budget of €1.5 million plus IGIC (a local tax), and a duration of four years.
Beatriz Calzada also pointed out that the market value of the radar systems alone is estimated at around half a million euros, “which gives an idea of the magnitude of the project and the Port Authority’s commitment to upholding international maritime standards to ensure that maritime operations, including fuel supply, are carried out with maximum safety guarantees.”
In other matters, the Board also approved awarding the company Suna 2000 S.L. the project to plant palm trees in the area adjacent to the new Santa Catalina Cruise Terminal, both along the central boulevard and on the sides. A total of 136 “Roystonea Regia” (Cuban Royal Palms), each 7–8 meters tall with ringed trunks, will be planted. The base budget for the project is half a million euros, and the execution period is four and a half months.
Additionally, construction works on the Santa Catalina Cruise Terminal are set to resume. These works had been suspended in November 2024 due to the start of the high cruise season, which made it difficult to proceed normally. The resumption of construction entails an extension of the project deadline, with the new completion date set for September 30, 2025.
The president of the Port Authority’s Board of Directors also updated the board members on the 2026 Business Plan and the meeting held with the president of Puertos del Estado for its approval. She explained that if the Spanish Government approves the General State Budget, the Port Authority of Las Palmas will implement a series of discounts that could save around €15 million for the port community’s business sector. Furthermore, she reported that Puertos del Estado has congratulated the Port Authority for its safety initiatives and has encouraged continued efforts and the implementation of additional measures.
The Board of Directors has also approved Astican’s request for an extension on the deadline to submit the construction project for works and investments aimed at expanding its production capacity, in line with the integration of renewable energies and energy efficiency improvements. The extension is granted for an additional two months, with the new deadline expiring at the end of June 2025.
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By Naucher There was a sharp increase in incidents of piracy and armed robbery against merchant vessels in the first
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