Pilot: The assistance of a Pilot on board is compulsory for all vessels over 500 GT whether vessel is berthing or anchoring and they are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They board the vessel once she is about one mile East from outer breakwaters green light.
Mooring men: This service is compulsory for all vessels coming into port and coordinated by the Pilot and/or Port Control.
Tugs: The use of tugs in Las Palmas port is NOT compulsory, being their use and units in assistance of Masters’ decision. Often the Pilot makes some recommendations according to available berth space between other vessels, wind and draft.
Shipping Agencies: The use of a shipping Agent is necessary for all commercial vessels that enter in the Port of Las Palmas, whether to anchorage or to berth, not only in order to make pre-arrival arrangements, but also to assume the responsibility on behalf of their clients before the various authorities for payment of any services.
Ship Chandlers: There are several Ship Chandlers available and quotations are given without obligation. Most items under provision, stores, technical and bonded are available locally.
Stevedores: There are three principal stevedoring companies available in Las Palmas who works a four-shift schedule over 24 hours, with shifts starting at 08:00hrs, 14:00hrs, 20:00hrs and 02:00hrs.
Bunkers: Being Las Palmas port one of the most important bunker ports in Spain, here you can find several suppliers and all grades of fuel both ex-pipe and ex-barge. Suppliers available at Las Palmas port are: Cepsa Marine Fuels – CMF (Petrocan), Aegean, British Petroleum, Famm/Texaco and Repsol.
Fresh Water: The supply of fresh water is available at almost all piers by shore pipe connection and at anchor by barge. For water attendance at anchor the main Water Barges is VB Ahemon, with a maximum capacity of 300mts. She can also carry drums and pump luboil.
Lubricants: The principal lubricant suppliers at Las Palmas port are Petrocan (Cepsa), Shell, Famm/Texaco, Mobil, BP, Castrol and Repsol who deliver both pumped from shore transportation or by barge at anchor in drums or in bulk.
Launch Service: There are many launches available in the port to cover the anchorage service, but the most frequently used is the Itara that has a LOA of 18.54 meters and a beam of 6.0 metres. She has capacity to carry upto 20 tons of provisions/stores and equipped with seating for 28 passengers for crew transportation. Other available launches are Maspalomas, and Urquiola Mendi.
Garbage: There are facilities for garbage disposal for vessels both anchored and berthed.
Sludge disposal: There are facilities for liquid residues disposal both at anchor and alongsige, and according to recent Spanish/European regulations, the discharge of sludge is now compulsory in all Spanish port, but the vessel could receive a certificate to mantain remaining on board if vessels production not exceed capability and next port has Marpol services available and where vessel should discharge.
All vessels that discharge sludge or dirty oil will receive a MARPOL V certificate. This service is included in the Port Environmental Tax which is applied to any vessel berthing alongside.
The official port clearance is related to the discharge of liquid residues (sludge) as in order to obtain the Official Ship’s Clearance the vessel is obliged to discharge sludge whilst in port.
Ballast/slop reception: Only clean ballast is permitted to be discharged within the port limits. NO tank slop facilities available.
Dry-Docking facilities: The year round mild climates in the island mean that Las Palmas has become a favourable choice for carrying out long and short term repairs and periodical maintenance such as dry-docking calls. In Las Palmas port there are two well known and reliable yards: Astican, a large shipyard with a Syncrolift platform of 9,500mt, which is able to handle vessels up to 36,000dwt, with a max LOA of 217m and beam of 30m. They have the possibility of having up to seven large vessels dry docked and attended at the same time. They have also the possibility to carry out repairs afloat on their quay of 560m length and with maximum depth alongside of 8.0m. The second Yard is Repnaval which belongs to the Zamakona group and has five slipways of about 110 metres each for smaller vessels with excellent workshops belonging to the same group to support the repairs.
Repairs: At Las Palmas port nearly any kind of Ship repair and vessel painting service can be found. From general engine repair or overhaul, turbo repairs or compass to electrical or radio repairs can be found with many of the most common makes having various companies representing their brands.
Diving Facilities: Several different diving companies operate at Las Palmas port and are available for classed underwater repairs or inspections, both by photo and /or cctv. Hull cleaning services with latest generation of kart brushes is also available, but this service is available only alongside or anchored at inner anchorage due to strong currents at outer anchorage.
Security: Watchmen are not compulsory, but sometimes recommended due to the possibility of robberies on board whilst vessel is in port. The ISPS code has greatly reduced the number of thefts as vessels are now obliged to maintain a gangway watch and clearly identify everybody boarding or visiting the vessels.