UN/LOCODE: ESSPC📍 Spain
Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma (UN/LOCODE ESSPC)
❖ Coordinates: 28.6800°N, -17.7700°E
❖ Time Zone: Atlantic/Canary
❖ UN/LOCODE: ESSPC
## About the Port
The Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma (UN/LOCODE: ESSPC) is a multipurpose maritime gateway situated on the eastern seaboard of the island of La Palma, within the Province of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain. Geographically positioned at 28.68° N latitude and -17.77° W longitude, the facility operates under the Atlantic/Canary timezone (UTC±0) and is administered by the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas (https://www.palmasport.es/), a member of the national Puertos del Estado network [https://www.puertos.es/es/red-de-puertos/puerto-de-santa-cruz-de-la-palma]. The port serves as the principal node for passenger ferry connectivity, cruise tourism, fisheries, and cargo logistics for an island whose rugged topography necessitates near-total reliance on sea transport.
The harbor is naturally sheltered by a composite breakwater system that creates a quiescent basin protected from the prevailing northeast trade winds and Atlantic swell. Depths alongside the principal quays range between 5.5 and 9.0 meters, accommodating vessels up to 180 meters in length overall (LOA) and drafts up to 8.5 meters. As a general-interest port, ESSPC integrates commercial, logistical, and recreational functions within a compact footprint of roughly 20 hectares of water surface and 15 hectares of adjacent land.
## History
Santa Cruz de La Palma was founded in 1493 by Alonso Fernández de Lugo following the Spanish conquest of the island. The natural anchorage immediately became the embarkation point for sugar, malvasía wine, and later cochineal dye, commodities that fueled early transatlantic trade with the Castilian crown. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the roadstead suffered repeated corsair raids, most notably Sir Francis Drake’s 1585 assault, prompting the construction of coastal batteries such as Castillo de Santa Catalina.
The port’s formal infrastructure emerged in the late 19th century when stone quays replaced open beaches. Volcanic eruptions (e.g., 1949 San Juan and 2021 Tajogaite) intermittently disrupted accessibility, yet the port proved resilient, shifting emphasis to banana exports under protected colonial trade preferences. The late 20th century saw modernization with the construction of dedicated ferry terminals and a fishing harbor, cementing ESSPC’s role in the insular supply chain.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
The port complex is segmented into distinct operational zones:
### Commercial and Ro-Ro Terminal
A 450-meter main quay provides alongside berthing for roll-on/roll-off ferries and general cargo vessels. Ro-ro ramps facilitate rapid vehicle and trailer discharge, critical for the island’s import of automobiles and perishable goods.
### Passenger and Cruise Facilities
The passenger terminal features check-in halls, customs control, and a 320-meter cruise berth capable of handling ships up to 300 meters via flexible mooring dolphins. Annual cruise calls exceed 150, delivering approximately 200,000 visitors to the historic old town.
### Fishing Harbor
Sheltered on the northern side, the pesquero mole includes cold storage, ice plants, and auction halls servicing a fleet of more than 60 artisanal and deep-sea vessels targeting mackerel, tuna, and squid.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
Mobile harbor cranes (up to 100 tonnes), reachstackers, and forklift fleets support breakbulk and limited containerized traffic. The port maintains a small container yard with ground slots for approximately 500 TEU, though most box traffic is processed via tilt-trailer or flat-rack due to draft constraints.
Support services include 24-hour pilotage, towage by two 30-tonne bollard pull tugs, fresh water, and bunker fuel supply via road tanker. The port’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) coordinates with the Las Palmas maritime rescue center.
## Economic Importance
For an island of roughly 80,000 inhabitants, the Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma is the lifeline of economic continuity. It handles an estimated 1.3–1.5 million tonnes of total cargo annually, of which liquid fuels constitute nearly 60% (distributed to the island’s power plants and transport sector). Dry bulk—cement, clinker, fertilizers—accounts for 20%, while agricultural exports and vehicles share the remainder.
Employment attributed to port operations, stevedoring, and linked logistics exceeds 1,200 direct jobs, with a multiplier effect across distribution and retail. Cruise tourism alone injects several million euros each season into local hospitality. The port’s resilience was tested during the 2021 volcanic crisis, when it served as the primary hub for aid, machinery, and evacuated populations, underscoring its strategic value beyond commercial metrics.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Inter-Island Connectivity
Regular ferry linkages to Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) and Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) are operated by Naviera Armas and Fred. Olsen Express, with crossing times of 2.5–6 hours. These routes transport passengers, vehicles, and perishable inter-island freight, forming the arterial circulation of the Canarian archipelago.
### External Maritime Corridors
ESSPC maintains liner services to mainland Spain (Cádiz, Huelva) and occasional calls from Northern Europe. Bulk carriers deliver raw materials, while reefer vessels export bananas under the Canary Island protected denomination.
### Dominant Cargo Categories
- **Liquid bulk:** Gasoil, fuel oil, and LPG destined for island storage terminals.
- **Agricultural exports:** Bananas (primary), tomatoes, flowers, and niche wines.
- **Breakbulk & vehicles:** Construction machinery, prefabricated goods, and automobiles.
- **Fisheries:** Fresh and frozen catches landed daily at the specialized mole.
In summary, Santa Cruz de La Palma (ESSPC) exemplifies a medium-sized Atlantic port whose strategic coordinates, sheltered infrastructure, and diversified traffic render it indispensable to the socio-economic fabric of La Palma and the wider Canarian archipelago.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ESSPC
Country
Spain
Province / Region
Las Palmas
Latitude
28.680000
Longitude
-17.770000
Timezone
Atlantic/Canary
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma is ESSPC.
Where is Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma located?
The Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma is located in Spain, Las Palmas. Its coordinates are 28.6800°N, -17.7700°E.
What time zone is Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma in?
Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma operates in the Atlantic/Canary time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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