Amasur SL Receives Francisco Malpica Award for Excellence in Port Operations

The work of mooring operators in Spanish ports often goes unnoticed, but it recently took center stage when the Port Police of Santa Cruz de Tenerife presented the III Francisco Malpica Award to the company Amasur SL. The award highlights the vital role these professionals play in the daily operations of the ports of Santa Cruz and Granadilla, particularly in ensuring safe vessel maneuvers and preventing accidents.

Amasur SL, part of Boluda Port Services, represents how the sector has evolved. With a team of thirty employees, the company now meets international ISO 9001 and 14001 quality standards. Their work has expanded far beyond simply securing mooring lines; today, they handle complex technical tasks, including assisting oil platforms and responding to fires or environmental emergencies.

Since Vicente Jiménez took over management in 2012, the company has also modernized its approach to staffing. Women are now a regular part of the workforce in this traditionally male-dominated field, and the company has successfully blended the experience of veteran staff with the fresh technical training of new recruits. Today’s mooring operators must hold several professional certifications, including Basic Safety Training, a Port Skipper certificate, and specialized health and communications training.

Even as ports become increasingly digital and automated, Amasur emphasizes that the human element remains essential. They argue that hands-on experience and the ability to adapt to the unique challenges of each dock cannot be replaced by technology. By using a rotating twelve-hour shift system to support a better work-life balance, Amasur serves as a model for how the Spanish port sector can maintain high technical standards while providing stable, professional careers.