PALMAS PORT SPHINX DIKE PHASE IV

ended

The Project is located in the Africa basin in the port of Las Palmas, in the outermost region of Canary Islands (Spain), which belongs to the Core Network. The Project is included in the priority of Projects on the Core Network (Maritime Ports). The Africa basin is protected by the Sphinx dike Phase III, where are handled Ro-Ro cargo, ferry passengers and oil products. However, it suffers disturbances of waves and resonance episodes. It makes difficult or directly, impossible, to load/unload passengers and goods in some periods of the year. In addition, this basin cannot handle VLCC vessels, which means a loss of competitiveness for the port in the oil products traffic. To improve this situation, the APLP is aiming to enlarge the Sphinx Dike, executing the Phase IV (238,5m), which will increase the shelter conditions and provide additional berthing line. Consequently, the main objectives of the Project are: -Remove the disturbances of waves and resonance episodes, which suppose a bottleneck by the lack of operability in the basin. -Increase the berthing capacity of the Africa basin, allowing to attend VLCC vessels, mainly for refined products. -Ensure and enhance the maritime accessibility and connectivity between the Canary Islands and mainland of Spain. -Promote the economically and efficient liquid bulk transport in VLCC vessels, with significant transport costs savings, contributing to the development of the Canary Islands. -Efficient use of new/existing infrastructure, taking advantage of the caissons of the Sphinx dike Phase III. -Contribute to the sustainable development, reducing external costs of transport. -Ensure and enhance safe standards for passenger and freight transport. The Project is considered a project of common interest according to the TEN-T Guidelines as it contributes to the development of TEN-T networks (creation of new transport infrastructure and promote the resource-efficient use of the network) and is fully in line with the objectives of the call.