Canary Islands demand government guarantees for continued maritime link to Cádiz

The General Directorate of Transport for the Canary Islands has formally requested that the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility provide guarantees for the continued operation of the maritime route linking the archipelago with Cádiz.

In a statement, the Department of Public Works, Housing and Mobility indicated that it specifically asked for information on the status of the tender for the new Public Service Obligation (OSP) contract for the strategic Cádiz‑Canary Islands route, whose current contract expires on 30 June.

“This maritime line currently connects Cádiz with the ports of Puerto del Rosario, Arrecife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Santa Cruz de La Palma, playing a key role in the transport of goods and passengers between the Canary Islands and the Peninsula,” the document reads.

María Fernández, Director General of Transport and Mobility, sent a letter to the State emphasizing the importance of guaranteeing a connection deemed strategic for the archipelago’s connectivity, supply chains, and economic activity.

The request also seeks details on:

• The processing stage of the new contract file for the period July 2026 – December 2028.
• The expected timetable for award and entry into force of the contract.

Furthermore, the application asks for information on measures planned to ensure regular maritime service from 1 July, should the new contract not be formalised before that date, with particular attention to maintaining current connections to all islands covered by the OSP.

“It is essential to preserve sufficient and stable maritime connectivity for the Canary Islands, given their status as an Ultra‑Peripheral Region and their structural dependence on sea and air transport to guarantee territorial cohesion and economic development,” Fernández insisted.

She also highlighted that, amid rising fuel prices, connectivity has become an essential need. “It is crucial to promote new measures without abandoning existing ones, as failing to do so would place the Canary Islands in a position of greater vulnerability within an increasingly complex political context,” she added.

To conclude, the Director General expressed her willingness to cooperate with the State to ensure the continuity of this strategic service for the Canary Islands.