PP demands control of ghost fleet near the Canary Islands
The national deputy of the Popular Party (PP) for the Canary Islands, Juan Antonio Rojas, has asked the Spanish Government for an “immediate and permanent” reinforcement of State presence in the waters surrounding the archipelago. He cites the rise of oil tankers linked to the so‑called “ghost fleets” and irregular practices tied to the transport of Russian‑origin hydrocarbons.
Rojas stresses that the current situation cannot be tackled with passive or sporadic surveillance. He therefore demands a greater involvement of the State in the strategically crucial Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Canary Islands, as announced in a PP press release.
“The Canary Islands must not remain a blind spot in the Atlantic,” he warned, adding that the EEZ is “directly the responsibility of the State” and requires an “effective, deterrent and constant” presence of the Spanish Navy.
He argues that naval presence must be accompanied by a clear reinforcement of aerial and maritime assets. Rojas calls for a substantial increase in both manned and unmanned aerial reconnaissance flights, as well as more maritime patrols to detect vessels at anchor, irregular fuel transfers, or deliberate shutdowns of tracking systems.
Rojas also highlighted the proliferation of ships with hidden owners, flags of convenience, and manipulated Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), which pose a real risk of accidents and spills with irreversible consequences for an area designated as a Specially Sensitive Maritime Zone.
“We are facing a direct threat to the environment, the economy, and the security of the Canary Islands,” he said, noting recent reports of “laundering” Russian hydrocarbons through complex routes and high‑sea operations.
He warned that without effective and continuous control, the waters near the Canary Islands and the Spanish mainland become especially vulnerable. Rojas stressed the need to improve coordination among the various administrations and bodies with maritime competence, stating that “having resources is not enough if there is no real coordination and clear operating protocols.”
In his view, effective coordination among the Navy, Maritime Rescue, the Civil Guard, maritime captains, and Canary authorities is essential for rapid and efficient action in the EEZ.
Consequently, Rojas has called on the central Executive for a “firm and sustained” response over time, arguing that the central government cannot limit itself to land‑based observation or satellite imagery. He insists that protecting the waters around the Canary Islands requires a physical naval presence in the EEZ, constant aerial surveillance, continuous maritime patrols, and real, operational inter‑institutional coordination, together with a reinforcement of human and material resources commensurate with the rise in high‑risk traffic.
“The Canary Islands cannot afford the price of inaction or lack of foresight,” Rojas concluded, emphasizing that protecting the islands’ waters is protecting their future.