2023-11-03 09:21:30
This year marks an important milestone for the ro-ro cargo line that links the ports of Cadiz, The Gran Canarian palms y Santa Cruz of Tenerife (Spain), as it celebrates its 45th anniversary. The history of this connection dates back to 1978 when the Trasmediterránea Company rented three “Beni” type ro-ro vessels to take the first steps on this line.
At that time, the ports of the capitals had recently been adapted to accommodate this type of transport, which would soon become the norm for traffic from the peninsula. However, the “Beni” vessels, with a capacity of 790 linear meters, did not meet expectations, and the company decided to rent, with an option to purchase, the “Roll-Al” and “Rollman” vessels from Interroll, each one with 1,200 linear meters of capacity.
The transformation of ships and the expansion of the ro-ro line
In 1981, these vessels became the property of Trasmediterránea and were renamed “Ciudad de Cádiz” and “Ciudad de Alicante.” In 1990, another ship from the same series was added, the “Ciudad de Burgos,” with a capacity of 1,375 linear meters.
The demand for ro-ro cargo between Cádiz and the Canary Islands continued to grow, leading to the decision to incorporate two larger capacity vessels in the late 1990s. The “Super-Fast Canarias” and “Super-Fast Andalucía” were acquired. which initially had a loading capacity of 2,600 linear meters, but were expanded to 3,465 after a renovation at Astilleros de Santander. In 2001, the “Super-Fast Levante” vessel was added, providing an additional capacity of 2,000 linear meters.
In 2010, two other vessels with a capacity of 3,500 linear meters each, the “José M. Entrecanales” (now “Villa de Tazacorte”) and “Super-Fast Baleares,” began operating. These were built at the Navantia Puerto Real shipyard. Today, the first of them, together with the “Ciudad de Valencia” ferry, transports ro-ro and fresh products between the Canary Islands and Cádiz.
The present and the essential role of the Cádiz-Canary Islands connection
Over the years, several vessels and units played an important role in this connection, including the ferries “JJ Sister,” “Manuel Soto,” “Juan J. Sister,” “Sorolla,” “Albayzin,” and “Murillo.” .” In addition, several “kangaroos” were used to replace vessels undergoing maintenance, and other chartered vessels, such as the “Aegean Heaven” between 2008 and 2010, which could reach speeds of up to 30 knots and had a capacity of 1,850 linear meters.
In summary, the ro-ro line between Cádiz and the Canary Islands has experienced constant growth and significant evolution throughout its 45-year history. What started with vessel charters has evolved to become a vital part of the cargo connection between the peninsula and the Canary Islands.
On the other hand, the Logistics Activities Zone (ZAL) of La Cabezuela-Puerto Real in the Port of Cádiz is about to complete its total occupation with the recent tender for the last four plots destined to be concessioned by the enclave for port activities .
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