The operation of the ports in the Canary Islands largely determines the price of consumer goods and the competitiveness of the island economy. However, the high concentration of capital and opacity in certain tender processes have historically allowed the proliferation of cartel structures that divide up the maritime business.
In response to this situation, the Independent Authority for Whistleblower Protection, A.A.I. (AIPI) — a public body established under Law 2/2023, of February 20 — has emerged as an institutional tool specifically designed to break the opacity in the docks. The AIPI operates as an official, independent, and legally protected channel, whose main function is to protect employees and executives who decide to report fraud or collusion practices in their environment. Now there is an external reporting channel with full legal guarantees.
The Firewall Against Blacklists in the Sector
The main obstacle to free competition in port environments has been the fear of personal consequences of breaking the code of silence. In a highly specialized and closed sector, the fear of facing disciplinary dismissals, workplace harassment, or being included in commercial blacklists has hindered cooperation with regulators. To mitigate this risk, the AIPI has a guarantee system that ensures anonymity through encrypted reporting channels. The information systems of the entity isolate and protect the whistleblower’s data from the initiation of the file, establishing a regulatory firewall against the company or public administration under investigation.
Million-Euro Fines and Commercial Disqualification
The current legislation expressly prohibits any form of professional or commercial retaliation against the whistleblower. The protection perimeter of the AIPI monitors not only direct dismissal but also the usual indirect reprisals in the maritime sector, such as the withdrawal of port passes, blocking access to sector job boards, or coordinated termination of logistics subcontracting contracts. Corporations that violate these guidelines face economic penalties of up to one million euros and disqualification from bidding in public tenders for the management of essential services for a period of up to three years.
Toward a Model of Real Competition in the Docks
The pursuit of anti-competitive practices is no longer solely dependent on inspections by traditional regulators. The control of monopolies and abusive agreements now has the support of professionals operating from within the companies themselves. Knowing the mechanisms of the AIPI is an essential step to cleansing the coastal logistics landscape; using this secure channel is an effective way to ensure that port infrastructures operate under strict criteria of transparency and competitive concurrence.
