Against the splendid backdrop of the Port of Christians, the dining area of the Spring Arona Gran Hotel witnessed a pivotal discussion regarding the future of maritime links with the green islands (La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro) yesterday. During a luncheon colloquium organised by the Forum of Friends of the South of Tenerife (FAST), the Arona City Council firmly expressed its stance: a resounding no to the port expansion. The mayor, Fatima Lemes, was unequivocal: “We shall not allow the extension of Christians,” although she added that her administration remains “open to dialogue.”
The Consistory’s viewpoint aligns with the prevailing sentiment among local residents, hoteliers, and merchants, as Lemes noted. “What we require is no further congestion,” she affirmed. The municipality highlights the overwhelming strain that the region is currently enduring, which, as experts warn, could lead to a functional failure within a decade if no action is taken.
During the event, Juan Antonio Afonso Mosagué, a representative from the College of Engineers of Caminos, Channels, and Ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, delivered the second technical report assessing the viability of maritime connections.
The report definitively dismisses the utilisation of the ports of Santa Cruz and Granadilla. The former is deemed too distant from the green islands and lacks interest from shipping companies, while the latter suffers from high operational costs, adverse maritime conditions, and passenger inconvenience.
Change of the beach
At present, the Port of Christians accommodates two million passengers annually, with predictions indicating this number could rise to 2.8 million by 2050. The report suggests several essential actions, irrespective of whether expansion is pursued: renovating the Annex building with three additional floors, enhancing access points, extending the protective breakwater, and adjusting the infrastructure.
However, these measures carry implications: “The beach and its appearance would suffer due to the alteration of the breakwater’s shape, which would result in noticeable changes,” he cautioned.
Concerning the Fonsaly port, Afonso noted that technical conditions exist to support its construction, although the execution presents complexities. The spokesperson indicated that the project would necessitate more than 3.7 million cubic metres of materials, “equivalent to the aggregate consumption across the island over a decade.”
Furthermore, the only legal quarry capable of supplying the required materials “is already depleted.” “There are no resources available for all the necessary materials within the stipulated timeframe,” he stated. Consequently, the proposal aims to reduce the initial design: eliminating the sports port and fishing facilities. “The ultimate solution lies in political will,” he remarked, delivering a direct appeal to the authorities.
Meanwhile, José Fernando Cabrera, president of Fast, urged for common sense: “We all desire to relieve Christians. However, the priority must be selecting what is best for Tenerife.”
