The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is preparing for a key event in its strategy for leadership in the Central Atlantic. From March 16 to 18, the Oceanographic Center of the Canary Islands will become the epicenter of the Bunkering & Sustainability Forum 2026 (BASF26), an event that aims to secure the relevance of the islands in the face of increasing competition from port nodes in Morocco and the instability of the Atlantic corridor.
The BASF26 arrives at a critical moment. Tenerife is trying to position itself as the safe port for refueling with alternative fuels. The forum will discuss whether the Canary Islands can lead this energy transition in the Central Atlantic. A plan that the president of Tenerife Ports, Pedro Suárez, has prioritized in the institutional agenda regarding vessel supplies.
At a time when the free market is becoming blurred and energy security is the new currency, Tenerife Ports, led by its commercial and technical team, is betting on the cutting edge. The forum, driven in collaboration with ship.energy, is not just a gathering of experts; it is a thorough analysis of the infrastructure that the Canary Islands need to avoid being left out of the LNG, ammonia, and methanol revolution.
This event coincides with the international recognition of the ENEPORTS project, recently highlighted by EU Research, which emphasizes the efforts of decarbonization and digitalization in the Atlantic area. For Tenerife, sustainability is not an aesthetic option, but a shield of competitiveness against the low operational costs of ports like Dakhla or Tangier Med.
The Inchcape Factor: The Deployment of Giants
The relevance of the forum has attracted major global players. Inchcape Shipping Services, a giant in port agency with a presence in 61 countries, has joined as a bronze sponsor. Its recent expansion in Las Palmas reinforces the idea that major operators see the archipelago as an essential strategic point for sustainable supply, despite the pressures from the ‘shadow fleet’ operating under the umbrella of non-EU powers.
However, the strategy is not solely technological. During the recent edition of Fitur 2026 in Madrid, the Commercial Chief of Tenerife Ports, Luz Marina Espiau, presented the project ‘All Aboard!’. This initiative aims to connect the cruise industry with the Canary society, educating new generations about the importance of a sector that often feels distant. ‘It is a project about people, not about ships,’ authorities emphasize, stressing that the sovereignty of the islands is also defended through education and a sense of belonging.
