The new port of Playa Blanca, a project by the Department of Public Works, Transport and Housing of the Government of the Canary Islands with the financing of ERDF funds, was inaugurated on Friday 13 January after polishing the final details necessary for the official start-up of the modern facilities which will convert the route between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura into one of the most used in the Canary Islands.
The port has seen its berthing lines increased by 660 metres between the two docks, to which must be added this new eco-sustainable passenger station, which has 1800 square metres with a system that recycles the air and allows us to be in a pleasant atmosphere all year round. This port is a new highway for economic growth and Lanzarote gain a first class infrastructure. Playa Blanca now has more comfortable, more accessible and more sustainable facilities.
The aim of the project, which began in 2017 with a budget of more than 45 million euros, has been to reorganise the dock that was already part of the port and to extend the facilities with a new dock to the south to separate passenger vessels from sports and fishing boats. The construction of the new dock allows the outer basin to accommodate three berths with ramp lengths of 300 metres, 142 metres and 100 metres and a 75-metre deep berth. The berths have more than 11,000 square metres of service esplanades.
One of the main attractions of the new port is the eco-sustainable station, which in addition to being an open space that takes advantage of natural air currents for ventilation without the need for air conditioning, also follows the predominant aesthetics of the island respecting the legacy of César Manrique, while offering passengers, tourists and shipping company personnel a modern and diaphanous terminal that will contribute to the development of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The new terminal occupies 1,800 square metres and will house two commercial premises, nine offices, a toilet area and a restaurant.
The port will now have 155 new berthing areas for sports boats and the parking area will also be improved with an increase in capacity and six charging points for electric vehicles. Specifically, there will be two parking spaces, one with 85 spaces in the marina area, and an annex to the new terminal with space for a further 190 vehicles. The charging area can be used by up to four vehicles at a time. There will also be space for buses and four taxis as well as a fast passenger loading and unloading area next to the new terminal building.
