The Ship That Defied Traditional Routes and Docked at a Strategic Port with a Surprising Cargo

As geopolitical tensions reshape international maritime routes, specific ports are emerging as key pieces in a new logistical chessboard. Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, recently became the stage for a symbolic episode of this transformation: the call of a massive Chinese ship carrying colossal equipment, which avoided the traditional route through the Suez Canal.

A stopover that revealed more than an alternative route

Between late April and early May 2025, the Chinese-flagged vessel Zhen Hua 33 docked at the port of Las Palmas. Transporting five enormous gantry cranes, each over 80 meters tall, the cargo ship created a striking image for observers of the port’s operations.

These structures were manufactured in China and are destined for Egypt’s Damietta Port. Instead of following the traditional route through the Suez Canal, the vessel took an alternative path and stopped in Las Palmas for refueling. According to local port authority data, approximately 2,600 tonnes of fuel oil and an additional 540 tonnes of diesel were supplied—figures that highlight the complexity of the operation.

The impact of Red Sea tensions

Since late 2023, attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the escalation of conflict in Yemen have prompted many ships to rethink their trade routes. The Suez Canal, once a cornerstone of global commerce, has lost a significant portion of its traffic.

UNCTAD data shows a 42% drop in container flow through the region between January and March 2024. As a result, alternative ports like Las Palmas have gained prominence, serving as strategic hubs for refueling and logistical support for crews now navigating around the African continent.

Monumental engineering aboard the Zhen Hua 33

Operated by China’s state-owned Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), the Zhen Hua 33 is a maritime giant, measuring 232 meters in length and 42 meters in beam. Its size allows it to transport enormous port equipment, such as the STS (Ship-to-Shore) cranes now en route to Egypt.

These cranes are crucial for the operation of modern container terminals, particularly those that handle large vessels, such as Post-Panamax ships. The choice of Las Palmas as a stopping point reflects not only the scale of the ship but also a logistical strategy in line with the new challenges of international navigation.

Las Palmas and the new maritime geopolitics

What was once merely a stopover port has now become a major player in the reconfiguration of maritime routes. Las Palmas’ infrastructure allows it to handle mega-ships efficiently, offering bunkering, maintenance, and support services.

The local port authority is already investing in upgrades and expansion to consolidate its position as a permanent fixture in commercial routes reshaped by the instability in the Middle East. The movement of ships like the Zhen Hua 33 not only impresses with its engineering scale but also signals a profound shift in the global logistics axis.

Source: Click Petróleo e Gás

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