The maritime terminal

Santander is a port with a long history and tradition in the transportation of passengers. During the colonial period, the port was a busy departure point for emigrants moving to America. The importance of this activity remained during the first third of the 20th century and Santander became a regular port of call for ocean liners from the most important companies of the time. From the quays of Santander you could travel to the largest cities with ports in the world.

Today, the Port of Santander has an area specially prepared to meet the needs of the 140,000 passengers that travel through the port every year and to assist the ships that transport these passengers: the passenger terminal. This terminal is located very close to the centre of the town and can be easily spotted because of the unusual building constructed on it: the Maritime Terminal. Below is a summary and description of the main facilities at the terminal:

• At the Port of Santander, the Albareda and Almirante quays* are designed specifically for docking passenger ships. Both of these quays together measure 360m in length and their depth varies between 7 and 9 metres.
• In order to assist the boarding and disembarkation of passengers, the terminal has a covered walkway, similar to a bridge, allowing passengers to move between the ship and land.
• The Maritime Terminal is specially prepared for meeting the needs of passengers while they are waiting to board the ship or as soon as they have disembarked. They can buy tickets, rest in the waiting room, obtain tourist information on Cantabria, change money or eat in the restaurant. There are also services such as shops, public telephones, toilets, etc. Police and customs offices within the building control security and access to the ship.
• The terminal is also equipped for loading and unloading goods. In fact, some passenger ships, such as the ferries, transport the passengers' own cars as well as goods in lorries and trailers. A ramp is used for the vehicles to enter and exit the ships' hold.
• Finally, the terminal has a large handling and parking area to help with the loading and unloading of vehicles and goods, as well as reserved spaces for cars and coaches to park while their passengers go on day trips.

Panoramic view of the Port

Customs control

The Maritime Terminal is the area used by passengers when leaving and arriving at the Port of Santander. When they board or disembark, they need to show their passport* or identity card.

return  top

Panoramic view of the Port

English practice

Now we're going to practice a bit of English vocabulary. As the majority of people using the ferry are British, you'll have noticed that many of the signs at the Maritime Terminal are in English. Do you know what they mean?

return  top

Panoramic view of the Port

The ferry

The majority of passengers boarding or disembarking at the Port of Santander are transported by the company Brittany Ferries. Since 1978, this company has put on a regular service for transporting passengers and goods between Santander and the United Kingdom, using a particular kind of ship: the "ferry". A ferry is special, because it has a hold* with hatch doors that open onto the quay, allowing wheeled vehicles to be loaded and unloaded.

The development of this type of traffic means that increasingly large ferries can dock at the passenger terminal quays. At the moment, the "Bretagne" or the "Val de Loire" are the ferries used on this service. These ships are equipped with the latest technology and travel between Santander and Plymouth in less than 24 hours. They are small, floating cities that provide everything the passengers need during the crossing. They have different categories of cabins*, cafes, restaurants, lounges, cinemas, a hospital, shops, games rooms, etc.

return  top

Panoramic view of the Port

Cruises

Another type of passenger ship to visit the Port of Santander is the cruise ship, which is a ship specialised in tourist trips. In the last few years, more and more people have decided to spend their holidays travelling by boat. Cruise ships are true floating hotels, equipped with all kinds of services and comforts that offer the passenger, through a programmed itinerary, the opportunity to visit and enjoy the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the cities that they stop over in.

Normally, this type of ship usually travels at night, when the passengers are asleep, and they dock in ports during the day, meaning that the passengers are able to do many things on land during a short space of time: cultural visits, trips, sports, etc. At the end of the day, the passengers return to the ship, which sets sail for the next port.

return  top

Panoramic view of the Port

The workers

Have you noticed how many people it takes to ensure that the ferry and Maritime Terminal work properly? Some people work in the offices, others are in charge of the security of the building and the ferry passengers, others assist the tourists and show them interesting places to visit in the region and other people clean the facilities. One thing is clear, although there is much technological progress, we still need people to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

return  top