Tenerife has taken a significant step in expanding its maritime industry, with Hidramar Group’s new floating dry dock officially beginning operations at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The facility’s first job is already under way, with the 190-metre bulk carrier Ocean Crown entering for repairs. It marks the start of a new service aimed at large vessels operating across the Central Atlantic.
The floating dock, operated by Tenerife Shipyards, measures 240 metres in length and can lift vessels weighing up to 22,000 tonnes. That means it can handle Panamax-sized ships, including container vessels, tankers, medium-sized cruise ships and offshore support vessels.
One of the big advantages is speed. Docking and lifting operations take around two hours, helping reduce the time ships spend out of action. For vessels needing inspections or repairs, having this facility in Tenerife could also mean avoiding lengthy detours to northern Europe or the west coast of Africa.
More work and skilled jobs
Hidramar expects the project to create more than 150 direct jobs and around 300 indirect positions on the island.
The facility will need skilled workers across several trades, including welding, boiler-making, industrial pipework, marine electrical work, mechanics and hydraulic systems.
Its services will cover a range of essential maintenance jobs, from replacing sections of hull steel and inspecting propeller shafts to repairing rudders, maintaining propellers and replacing underwater valves. High-pressure hull cleaning ahead of marine painting will also be available.
A €40 million investment
The project represents an investment of more than €40 million and has taken a decade to develop, with support from European funding and regional incentives.
For Tenerife, the new dock is about more than repairing ships. It strengthens the island’s position as a practical stop for vessels operating across the Atlantic, while creating opportunities for local businesses and skilled workers.
With the Ocean Crown now the first vessel to enter the facility, the new operation has moved from years of planning into business.