Logistics & Atlantic hub
A natural staging point between Europe, Africa and the Americas, with major container ports and frequent air links.
Why it fits: Geographic position plus genuine port capacity make the islands a strong base for distribution, trans-shipment and last-mile supply to the archipelago.
A bridge between three continents
The Canary Islands sit directly on the Atlantic routes that link Europe, Africa and the Americas. That is not a marketing line — it is geography. The archipelago lies roughly 1,100 km from the West African coast and about 1,700 km from the Iberian Peninsula, which puts it within practical reach of markets on both sides of the ocean from a single base.
The port capacity matches the position. Las Palmas is among the top three container ports in Spain by volume, and in 2023 it handled over one million TEUs, according to Puertos del Estado. It runs heavy container and trans-shipment traffic, serving as a relay point where cargo is consolidated, split and forwarded rather than simply landed.
On the western island, the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife moved over 2.5 million passengers in 2023 and carries significant Ro-Ro traffic, per the Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife. That supports automotive, retail and project-cargo chains that rely on roll-on roll-off rather than containers. Frequent air links to mainland Spain and Europe round out the picture for time-sensitive freight.
What the Canary Islands offer logistics companies specifically
Three things set the islands apart for a distribution operation. First, trans-shipment: the practice of unloading cargo from one vessel and reloading it onto another for onward carriage, which the Atlantic position and port scale make viable here. Second, the tax framework — distribution and logistics are eligible activities under the ZEC, so an operation that genuinely manages goods through the islands can pay 4% corporate tax rather than the 25% mainland rate. Third, last-mile distribution within the archipelago itself: serving eight populated islands and a large year-round tourist population is a market in its own right, not just a relay function.
What premises to look for
A logistics building lives or dies on a short list of specifications. You want clear internal height for racking — typically 8 to 10 metres for a modern logistics shed — loading docks sized to your fleet, a generous lorry yard for manoeuvring, and genuinely easy access to the port rather than a route through a congested town centre.
We match those specs against real availability rather than sending you a generic list. We also flag the practical points that catch newcomers out: turning circles, dock-leveller heights, fire-load classification for stored goods, and whether the activity licence supports your intended throughput at that address.
FAQ
- What container capacity do the Canary ports actually handle?
- Las Palmas is among the top three container ports in Spain by TEU volume. In 2023 it handled over one million TEUs, per Puertos del Estado.
- How close are the islands to West Africa and the mainland?
- The archipelago sits roughly 1,100 km from the West African coast and about 1,700 km from the Iberian Peninsula. That makes it a natural Atlantic crossroads.
- Is there a free-trade advantage for distribution here?
- Distribution and trans-shipment activities can qualify for the ZEC at 4% corporate tax. Customs handling is simplified for goods moving through the islands.