The City Council of Puerto del Rosario and the Cabildo of Fuerteventura have formally conveyed to the Port Authority of Las Palmas their deep concern about the operational limitations faced by the port of the capital of Fuerteventura. In a joint letter, signed by Mayor David de Vera and the president of the Cabildo, Lola García, they demand immediate actions regarding two key issues: the conditions imposed by the current concession to the company Estibadora Majorera S.L., and the lack of permanent technical staff at the phytosanitary Border Inspection Post (PIF).
These demands were also analyzed in a recent technical meeting attended by the president of the Cabildo, the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Fuerteventura, consignees and private logistics operators affected by the conditions of the commercial dock of the capital’s port.
Conditions imposed by the concessionaire limit competitiveness
According to the document sent to the Port Authority, the current concession to the company Estibadora Majorera S.L. has become a restrictive factor for the normal operation of the port. The requirements of a minimum number of movements to allow the operation of shipping companies has forced many of them to divert their operations to other ports, such as Arrecife or Las Palmas, which generates cost overruns and undermines the competitiveness of the island’s business fabric.
In addition, the concessionaire’s unilateral relinquishment of a significant portion of the port space initially granted has generated logistical bottlenecks, waits of up to four hours for carriers and a direct negative impact on the local supply chain.
“We cannot allow a public concession to become a brake on the economic development of Fuerteventura. The Port Authority must act diligently and enforce the public function of this infrastructure under criteria of efficiency and responsibility,” said the mayor of Puerto del Rosario, David de Vera.
Urgent need for stable technical staff at the phytosanitary PIF
The second major institutional demand is the permanent staffing of the port’s phytosanitary PIF. At present, the service depends on personnel sent from other islands, which causes delays and a lack of predictability and weakens customs operations.
“The absence of a fixed technical team in the PIF penalizes the import sector, wholesale trade and logistics platforms, generating territorial inequality with respect to other ports in the system. This is a historical insular demand that must be urgently addressed,” said the president of the Cabildo, Lola García.
Resuming strategic planning for the port
During the technical meeting held recently with institutional actors and operators of the logistics sector, it was agreed the need to resume and strengthen inter-administrative and sectoral coordination meetings to define a clear roadmap for the strategic planning of the port of Puerto del Rosario. This working space will allow progress towards a more competitive, sustainable and fair port development model for Fuerteventura.
Both the City Council and the Cabildo have reiterated their commitment to the promotion of the port as a key infrastructure for the connectivity, supply and economic growth of the island.
