Chinese special vessel with five giant cranes arrives at European island to refuel and exhausts 3,140 tons of fuel

The colossal silhouette of the Zhen Hua 33, a Chinese cargo ship designed to transport port machinery, has not gone unnoticed in the Bay of Las Palmas. Arriving from Asia with five state-of-the-art ship-to-shore cranes bound for Egypt, the vessel made a strategic stop at the Canary Islands port as part of a new maritime route that circumvents the Suez Canal amid a deepening geopolitical crisis.

This technical stop by the Zhen Hua 33 (IMO 9808223), operated by the Chinese state-owned firm ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.), is part of a major refueling operation: 2,600 tons of fuel oil and 540 tons of diesel, according to figures from the Las Palmas Port Authority.

The cranes on board – STS (ship-to-shore) models over 80 meters tall, capable of handling Post-Panamax vessels – are ultimately headed for the port of Damietta in Egypt. But escalating instability in the Red Sea has forced a detour via the Cape of Good Hope, a route that is bringing Atlantic ports like Las Palmas back into prominence.

From Gaza to Yemen’s Houthis

Since October 2023, when Israel declared war on Hamas in Gaza, the Red Sea has become a conflict zone, primarily due to attacks from the Houthi rebels. Near Yemen, assaults on commercial vessels have had a severe impact on global maritime transport, especially through the Suez Canal. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), container traffic through the canal fell by 42% between January and March 2024.

This volatile situation has forced major shipping companies to redesign their routes, opting for longer but safer journeys. As a result, the port of Las Palmas has become a vital hub for refueling, resupply, and crew rest. “We’ve quickly adapted to this new global context by improving our services and strengthening our logistical capabilities,” said the Port Authority.

Within this landscape, the Canary port has become a strategic node. Its favorable location and dependable service are increasingly valued by large commercial vessels. The Zhen Hua 33, at 232 meters long and 42 meters wide, is a case in point. “The arrival of ships like this, carrying specialized cargo, reinforces our role as a key logistical support hub in the Atlantic,” a port source told CPG.

Geopolitical instability is forcing the maritime sector to redraw its maps. And in this shifting landscape, some ports are becoming safe harbors.

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