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Finncanopus, Finnlines’ newest passenger-cargo ship, has traveled a long distance from Weihai, China. Now, the vessel made a stop at the port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. This was a routine stop, but what made the stop significant was the fact that Finncanopus was visiting a port located in the European Union for the first time.

Saharan Sand

Walking on the deck of the Finncanopus, one could sometimes hear the crunch of sand underfoot. In Finland, sidewalks are usually sanded at this time of year, but one wouldn’t expect to need this on a ship’s deck – especially when in warm temperatures. However, the sand was entirely natural, from the Sahara – memories from the journey that had accumulated on the outer decks and windows since Durban. The crew had spent days cleaning these remnants, but the desert sand was persistent.

Spanish Delicacies

In Las Palmas, the planned crew changes, as well as the replenishment of fuel and provisions, were intended to be handled while at anchor, from the sea. However, plans changed, and the ship docked at the quay on Thursday evening. It was time for the anticipated provisions – this time, of course, with a Spanish twist. The ship was loaded with various Spanish delicacies: Iberico ham, cheeses, ice cream, dulce de leche Alfajor cookies, as well as fresh dairy products and vegetables.

Waiting for local provisions is always an enjoyable and exciting experience. This encapsulates one of the magical aspects of sailing the world’s seas. The food that the crew eats is literally from the last port of departure, made from ingredients of that region. We discussed this topic before, for example, when Finnsirius visited Italy in the summer.

A Visit to the Streets of Las Palmas

For the crew, the stopover meant an opportunity to disembark from the ship for the first time in almost a month at sea. The warm weather of Las Palmas welcomed those who came ashore. Many had been here before on vacation, but this time the perspective and mode of transportation were new.

Bow Towards New Adventures

On Friday, January 26, 2024, Finncanopus left Las Palmas behind. The beautiful morning sunrise and the Spanish flag waving in the background created a memorable departure image. The ship’s bow turned towards Algeria, towards the port of Djen Djen, where Finncanopus is expected to arrive in a few days.