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Shipping in Gibraltar

Situated at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar (one of the world's busiest shipping lanes) and with over 7,000 ship calls each year, Gibraltar is home to a wealth of shipping expertise and to many specialist companies offering a comprehensive range of support services,

History

The Bay of Gibraltar's strategic position at the mouth of the Mediterranean has been used by merchant shipping for at least 3,000 years. According to Strabo Carteia, a Phoenician and Roman town, was founded around 940 BC and became the first trading settlement in the area. It was situated at the head of the Bay of Gibraltar in Spain about halfway between the modern cities of Algeciras and Gibraltar.

The Moors established it's first port and dockyard on the site of today's Grand Casemates Square and was known as La Barcina In 1618 the Spanish built the Old Mole now known as the North Mole at the north end of Gibraltar and the New Mole was built in 1620. In modern times the Admiralty extended the new mole later renamed the South Mole, a Detached Mole was also built and the North Mole was also extended. Dry Docks were also built which are now operated commercially by Gibdock.

The South Mole contains a mix of industrial services to support the shipping industry and on the Western Arm a cruise Liner Terminal was built which currently caters over 400 Cruise liner visits a year.

Ship Registry

Number of commercial ships on the Gibraltar Ship Register increased by 5% in 2012 and was a record year for new registrations, with 58 brand new vessels. 22 new ships registered as at the end of May 2013. Overall Gross Tonnage jumped nearly 50% in one year, from 2.1 million in December 2011 to 3.2 million in December 2012. The current overall Gross Tonnage now exceeds 3.5 million in April 2013. Larger, high value ships are now being registered on the Gibraltar flag. The number of yachts on the flag now exceeds 800, with an increase of 5.5% in 2012/2013.

Port Authority

Port revenue in 2012/2013 has shown a 3.7% surplus. A new port administration building, incorporating improved accommodation and a better location for VTS including a lookout, has been identified and architects drawings have been produced.

Introduction of a port-wide CCTV system complete for enhanced safety and security through much improved surveillance of the critical areas of the port estate.

Small vessel berths to accommodate 700 vessels announced and to commence shortly. The marina will be constructed in the mid-harbour area and will incorporate 400 six-metre and 300 eight-metre finger pontoon berths. The marina will have electrical and water points, secure entry to the pontoons and CCTV security cameras. The construction will be a caisson vertical wall design wharf which will also provide 480 metres of new outer wharf berthing for large vessels and super yachts. This will be the first time in recent history that new commercial wharf facilities have been constructed in Gibraltar. There will be two lanes for traffic, a roundabout at the end of the wharf, a public promenade and parking for over 50 cars and for motorcycles.

Bunkering

Gibraltar is one of the largest bunkering ports in the Mediterranean Sea, with 4.2 million tonnes of bunkers delivered in 2011. Around 10,350 vessels called at Gibraltar in 2011 and of these, 6,181 were supplied with bunkers. This has become the main activity within the Port of Gibraltar.

Cruises

Cruise calls rise from 170 in 2012 to 186 in 2013. In 2012 the cruise ships calling at Gibraltar carried 291,880 passengers and 122,930 crew members. 2013 estimated passengers are 300,712 and crew members are 36,620 to date. 170 cruises already booked for 2014 with more to follow.

Thomson Cruises and Island Cruises will increase their calls to Gibraltar for the winter 2013 and summer 2014 33%.