Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain

Port Overview

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located on the northeast coast of Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, about 300 km off the coast of Morocco. As the island’s capital and one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands, it serves as a major Atlantic port and commercial hub. The port is strategically important for transatlantic shipping routes between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Santa Cruz de Tenerife handles approximately 400,000 TEU annually, ranking it among the busiest container ports in the region.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Santa Cruz de Tenerife port features a modern cruise terminal with capacity for up to 10,000 passengers, extensive container and general cargo terminals, and a border inspection post for international trade. Key cargo facilities include multipurpose and Ro-Ro berths, container yards, and refrigerated storage. The port is equipped with mobile harbor cranes, container gantry cranes, and reach stackers. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are not currently in operation at this port.

Container Terminals

Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s main container terminal, operated by Boluda Maritime Terminal, features three berths totaling 478 meters. The terminal has an annual capacity of up to 620,000 TEUs and offers 240 reefer connections. It incorporates a high level of automation, with fully automatic container positioning controlled by GPS. Boluda Lines is the major operator, handling all its traffic on the island and serving other shipping lines as well.

Port Services

• Container handling: Modern container terminals with connections to over 270 ports worldwide.
• Cargo operations: General cargo, bulk, RoRo, and specialized freight services.
• Ship services: Bunkering (including LNG), ship repair, maintenance, pilotage, towage, and waste management.
• Warehousing: On-site storage facilities for various cargo types, including bonded warehouses.
• Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services for import/export operations.

Global Connectivity

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a major Atlantic port connecting over 270 ports across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It serves as a key hub for the Canary Islands, with regular ferry links to other islands and direct shipping routes to major markets in Spain, mainland Europe, West Africa, and transatlantic destinations. The port supports both container and cruise traffic, efficiently serving regional trade and international shipping routes.

Port Statistics

Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Key Statistics

• TEU throughput: Approximately 330,000 TEU annually
• World ranking: Not in the top 30 globally; not among Spain’s top container ports
• Number of berths: 12 commercial berths
• Port area: Extends about 12 kilometers along the coast
• Shipping lines: Served by major lines connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including regular calls from MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM