Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife facts for kids
The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a very busy port in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. It's located on the Atlantic Ocean. This port is used by many different types of boats. You'll see fishing boats, large cargo ships, passenger ferries, and even sports boats here.
The Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife manages this port. They also look after all the other important ports in the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. These include ports on the islands of El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, and Tenerife. Right next to the port, you can see the famous Auditorio de Tenerife building.
This port is super important for passengers in the Canary Islands. About 23% of all sea travelers in the islands pass through here! It connects the islands with ferries. The port also links to major cities in Europe, Africa, and America. The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is very long, stretching for about 12 kilometers. This makes it the longest port in the Canary Islands.
In 2016, the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was named one of the top three cruise ports in the world. It was recognized by Seatrade Cruise Med. It shared this honor with the Port of Southampton in the United Kingdom and the Kai Tak cruise terminal in the Port of Hong Kong, China. In 2023, a report by the World Bank and S&P Global said it was the third most efficient port in Spain. It was also ranked ninth in Europe.
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What Makes the Port Special?
Ports in Spain are often grouped together under a "Port Authority." This helps manage them for technical, political, and historical reasons. Here's what makes the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife stand out:
Cruise Passengers and Fishing
The port is very important for cruise ships. It is the number one port in the Canary Islands for cruise passengers. In 2011, over 607,000 cruise passengers visited. It was the second busiest cruise port in Spain, after the Port of Barcelona. The port is also number one in the Canary Islands for fresh fish catches.
Passenger Travel Between Islands
Many people travel between the Canary Islands by ferry. The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a main hub for this. In 2011, about 1,750,000 passengers used this port. The Port of Los Cristianos, in the south of Tenerife, is another important port for inter-island travel.
Cargo and Future Plans
While the port handles a lot of cargo, it aims to become an even bigger hub. In 2011, it handled 330,000 TEUs. (A TEU is a way to measure cargo containers). The port is working on new projects to expand. This includes the Dársena del Este area. These changes will help it handle more containers.
Modern Cruise Terminal
The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has a very modern cruise terminal. It's the most up-to-date in the Macaronesia region. This terminal is huge, covering 9,000 square meters. It can serve up to 10,000 cruise passengers at once!
The building has many useful features:
- Areas for checking in and controlling passengers.
- Waiting areas for passengers and luggage.
- Places for buses and taxis to park.
- Logistics and supply areas.
- 50 billing counters.
- A waiting area with 520 seats.
- A cafeteria, phone, and internet area.
- A VIP room.
- Offices for security and police.
- Offices for dock workers.
- An office for booking island tours.
- Toilets and staff changing rooms.
The port also has a special inspection post approved by the European Union. This post checks all types of goods coming from outside the EU. It also checks goods going to countries outside the European Economic Area.
Some of the world's biggest ocean liners have visited this port. These include the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth 2 (both in 2004). Having two international airports nearby helps the port serve as a great starting point for cruises.
On September 26, 1993, Michael Jackson's Dangerous World Tour came to the port. About 45,000 people watched his concert there!
Sister Ports
Port of Shenzhen, China.
See also
In Spanish: Puerto de Santa Cruz de Tenerife para niños
