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The Port of Lanzarote in Arrecife started in its origins as a fishing harbour, given the extraordinary growth of the tourist industry on the island in the 20th century it has become the Canaries’ third goods port.

History

The Phoenician colonies located on the nearby coast of Africa provided a economy based primarily on trade and fishing activity. From Gades (Cadiz), Lixus (Larache), Tingis (Tangier), Mogador, Thamusida, Kouass the Phoenician traders had the Canary Islands and the eastern coast of Lanzarote in their sights, where the Port of the Reef offered a safe place to shelter their boats at times difficult.

The first historical reference that exist of the Port of the Reef provides to the Norman chronicles of Le Canarien: And on the same day that the barge arrived at the Rubicon port, on its way back from islands, they left and went to another port called the Reef. There Gadifer les sent out meats for his return...3 And precisely on the day the barge arrived at the port of Rubicon, the barge left and went to another port called Arrecife. There they were made to deliver meat for their turn.4 These references show the first appearance in the history of the Port of the Reef in the year 1402.

In 1838 the esplanade of the Marina was built, which was used as a goods depot for maritime trade. With the declaration of Free Ports in 1852, Arrecife continued to claim investments for its port, as opposed to those made, in large quantities, on both islands main ones.

The investments of the end of this century will be mainly for the realization of the the Porto Naos dock, which was completed in 1888.

In the 20th century, Arrecife was consolidating thanks, above all, to trade with the Caribbean (onions, chickpeas) and fishing activity.

Visit of King Alfonso XIII

The visit of King Alfonso XIII in 1906 projected the need for a commercial dock to be built between 1908-1920.

In 1928 the organization of Ports of Gran Canaria was created, later called de Las Palmas, under the Ministry of Public Works and Urbanism. The first chief engineer of this entity was the reefer Ruperto Gonzalez Negrin, who remained in charge until 1957. Through his efforts, the Marbles Quay was built to the northeast of the city in 1958.

The Marbles Quay thus became the main port of Arrecife and the island; in 1961 it was declared to be of general interest.

In 1966 the "Black" ferry arrives with links to London and The Hague, activating the export activity of agricultural products, such as tomatoes and onions, to the European and peninsular ports.

This commercial boom led to the creation in 1981 of the Association of Consignees and Stevedores of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. In 1987, the Container Quay was built in view of the strong demand for products due to the growth in island tourism.

Little by little, the Port of the Reef is acquiring the maritime prominence that for The Canary Islands have the best natural harbour in history, and so it has become the first port of call for tourist cruising ships in the Canary Islands, together with Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Port Activity

The port traffic has been increasing. In the XV-XVII centuries with a commercial activity controlled by the quintadors located in the Port of the Reef in order to collect fifth for the territorial lord, up to the thousands of ships and millions of tons are currently registered, all together with tourist or cruise ships.

In 1967, it exceeded one million GRT (Gross Registered Tonnes); in 1970, two million GRT; in 1976 it went over three million GRT.

The arrival of emblematic ships such as the Queen Elizabeth II in 1982, along with others, has The port is a place of distinction and, above all, a place to value the

Up to date in 2019 more than 65,000 GRT pass through its terminal and the port received more than 423,000 cruise passengers. Coordinates: (13º318’W-28º580’N)