Some 80,000 ships pass through the Strait of Gibraltar every year. The Port of Gibraltar is the largest centre for bunkering (i.e refuelling of ships) on the Mediterranean Sea. Ship repair facilities and other maritime services are also available.
Gibraltar is a popular tourist destination on the itinerary of numerous cruise ships. During the busy season, an average of eight cruise ships a week visit the port. According to the Port of Gibraltar website, there were 202 ship calls by cruise ships in 2006. The Port Minister of the Gibraltar Government predicts an increase in the future.
click here to read more about the cruise sector
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AOS Gibraltar was established in 2004. Since then Fr Charles has formed a team of volunteers who assist him in bringing pastoral care to those who work onboard ship. There are currently eight trained ship visitors. The parishioners of St Bernard’s Church support the work of AOS in numerous ways including knitting woolly hats. Volunteers also distribute warm clothing, faith articles and AOS literature among seafarers.
Fr Charles and his team work in co-operation with our ICMA partners in the region, Mission to Seafarers. AOS Gibraltar has been instrumental in establishing a Port Welfare Committee. The committee is working to provide telephones in the Commercial Port and Cammell Laird Shipyard to enable visiting seafarers to contact their families.
click here for contact details of AOS Gibraltar
The tiny enclave is situated on the Strait of Gibraltar at the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. The Strait of Gibraltar links the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. At the narrowest point on the Strait, the distance between Europe and north Africa is just eight miles (13km).
Gibraltar is one of the most densely populated territories in the world. Since 1713, it has been a territory of the United Kingdom. The sovereignty of Gibraltar remains a cause of diplomatic tension between the United Kingdom and Spain.
The geological formation known as the “Rock of Gibraltar” is home to the only wild monkeys in Europe and is a popular tourist attraction.
