The shipping platform

Location: Garrucha is situated approx 70km NE of Almeria. General overview: It is a sheltered port protected by breakwaters. The entrance has a width of 120m and a depth of 9.5m. It affords shelter to large ships, and is the natural outlet for the commerce of a once thriving agricultural and mining district. It used to handle trade of lead, copper, iron. But at present, the only export from its harbour is gypsum mined in Sorbas. Besides cargo ships, the port is home to a small fishing fleet and has approximately 300 moorings for leisure boats. Traffic figures: Approx 7,600,000 tons of cargo handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31. Max size: LOA 200m, draught 8.5m. The largest vessel called at the port: LOA: 205 m, draught: 9.4 m, deadweight: 64,273 t.