Las Palmas Hits 8.9M Tonnes as Cruise Passengers Surge 16.6%

The port system surpasses one million cruise passengers and consolidates growth in total traffic and cargo at the start of 2026

Among the standout indicators, the Port of Salinetas leads growth with a sharp 30.40% increase in total traffic, while frozen fish volumes surge by 57.07%

The Las Palmas Port Authority closed the month of March with positive results across its main indicators, reaching a total traffic volume of 8,928,265 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026.

This represents a 4.49% increase compared with the same period last year, amounting to an additional 383,428 tonnes.

This growth is driven by strong performance across the port system, particularly in cargo and container traffic. Total cargo reached 8,178,475 tonnes, up 4.72% from the first quarter of 2025. TEU movement also rose by 5.55%, with 374,036 TEUs handled.

Strong momentum in cruise traffic and passenger growth
Passenger traffic continues its upward trend, totalling 1,340,969 passengers through March—an 11.24% increase year-on-year. Cruise tourism remains the main driver, with 1,068,230 cruise passengers, marking a 16.57% rise.

At the Port of Las Palmas, passenger traffic reached 768,549 travellers, up 12.53%, fuelled by a 23.64% increase in cruise activity.

Performance across the port network
The Port of Las Palmas recorded a 4.63% increase, handling 7,752,905 tonnes through March. The Port of Arrecife grew by 1.51% (506,995 tonnes), Puerto del Rosario by 1.81% (428,294 tonnes), while the Port of Arinaga saw a 21.14% decline (61,441 tonnes). The Port of Salinetas posted the strongest growth, with a 30.40% rise to 178,630 tonnes.

Year-on-year comparisons for March 2026 versus March 2025 across the five ports show:

Passenger traffic: +11.24% (–5.66% in regular lines; +16.57% in cruise), totalling 1,340,969 passengers (up from 1,205,446).
Cargo: +4.72% with 8,178,475 tonnes (vs. 7,809,587).
Frozen fish: +57.07% with 83,966 tonnes (vs. 53,459).
Fresh fish: –33.33% with 38 tonnes (vs. 57).
Fuel: –2.52% with 637,508 tonnes (vs. 653,961).
TEUs: +5.55% with 374,036 units (vs. 354,357).
Containerised general cargo: –0.63% with 3,780,956 tonnes (vs. 3,804,858).
Ro-Ro units: +3.53% with 95,667 units (vs. 92,405).
Ro-Ro tonnage: +8.50% with 1,504,690 tonnes (vs. 1,386,855).

March statistics for the Port of Las Palmas

Year-on-year data for March 2026–2025 at the Port of Las Palmas show:

Passenger traffic: +12.53% (–5.16% in regular lines; +23.64% in cruise), totalling 768,549 passengers.
Cargo: +5.03% with 7,029,991 tonnes.
Frozen fish: +58.88% with 83,296 tonnes.
Fresh fish: –50% with 3 tonnes.
Fuel: –2.48% with 635,531 tonnes.
TEUs: +6.09% with 346,371 units.
Containerised general cargo: –0.76% with 3,555,573 tonnes.
Ro-Ro units: +5.42% with 64,347 units.
Ro-Ro tonnage: +12.17% with 1,048,449 tonnes.