The island president has received notification from the Directorate-General for the Merchant Navy, following demands made by the Cabildo and local institutions to restore a route considered essential for Fuerteventura
Cabildo de Fuerteventura has succeeded in getting sea connectivity between Fuerteventura and mainland Spain restored, following demands made by island president Lola García, who was joined by the majorero town councils and the Fuerteventura Chamber of Commerce in a united front.
On Friday 4 September, Lola García received notification from the Directorate-General for the Merchant Navy stating that it is working to push forward, as swiftly as possible, the tender process for the management of this maritime line of public interest, and that the future tender will include a stop in Fuerteventura.
Lola García highlighted the work carried out by majorero administrations to secure a demand she described as fair, necessary and strategic for the present and future of the island.
The loss of the connection to the island has pushed up sea transport costs by around 70–78%. “In an island and peripheral economy like Fuerteventura’s, these extra costs are borne directly by the end consumer or by small and medium-sized businesses, putting Fuerteventura at a clear disadvantage,” said the Cabildo president. She added: “We hope that the Fuerteventura stop will indeed be included as a Public Service Obligation (PSO), as we have requested given its importance, and that the tender process will be speeded up.”
United front
Both Cabildo de Fuerteventura, through various letters sent by the president to the Ministry, and Puerto del Rosario Town Council repeatedly voiced their concern through different channels over the loss of the sea connection. They were joined in this demand by the rest of the majorero institutions, all defending a route deemed essential for the island.
