The Telamón Shipwreck in Lanzarote: The Ghost Ship That Has Been Stranded for 45 Years
The story of Lanzarote's famous shipwreck, why it was deliberately run aground, and why plans to remove it have taken so many years.
For anyone who has travelled along the coastal road between Arrecife and Costa Teguise, the sight of the rusty remains of a huge ship sitting in the water is probably familiar.
Known as the Telamón shipwreck, this once-mighty cargo vessel has been part of Lanzarote's coastline for more than four decades. Its deteriorating structure has become one of the island's most recognisable maritime landmarks, attracting photographers, curious visitors and generations of residents who have watched it slowly disappear into the sea.
But how did it get there? Why was it left behind? And whatever happened to the long-promised plans to remove it?
WHEN DID THE TELAMÓN SHIPWRECK HAPPEN?
The Telamón became stranded on 31 October 1981.
That means that, as of November 2026, the ship has been sitting off the coast of Lanzarote for approximately 45 years.
Originally built in Scotland in 1953, the vessel was launched under the name Temple Hall. During its working life, it changed ownership and was eventually renamed Telamón.
The Greek cargo ship measured approximately 139 metres in length, making it an enormous vessel for the time.
In October 1981, it was travelling from San Pedro in the Ivory Coast towards Thessaloniki in Greece, carrying thousands of tonnes of tropical timber.
It was a journey that would never be completed.
WHY DID THE SHIP RUN AGROUND IN LANZAROTE?
The Telamón's final voyage took a disastrous turn while it was travelling through the waters between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
The ship suffered a serious leak in its hull, allowing water to enter and threatening its stability.
With the vessel in difficulty, the captain sought assistance near Arrecife.
However, bringing such a large, damaged ship into the port of Los Mármoles presented a significant danger. If the vessel sank inside or near the entrance to the port, it could obstruct maritime traffic and seriously affect Lanzarote's vital shipping connections.
A decision was therefore made to take the ship into a sheltered coastal area near Las Caletas, away from the main port facilities.
The Telamón was deliberately run aground in shallow water.
This was not simply a case of a ship being washed ashore during a storm. The decision to strand it was part of an emergency response intended to protect the port and manage the situation as safely as possible.
The crew were rescued, and the ship's cargo was subsequently unloaded.
The vessel itself, however, would never return to the open sea.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE THOUSANDS OF TONNES OF TIMBER?
One of the lesser-known parts of the Telamón story is what happened to its cargo.
The ship had been carrying thousands of tonnes of tropical timber, which had to be removed following the accident.
Some of the timber was eventually put to use around Lanzarote.
In Costa Teguise, several enormous tree trunks from the cargo were incorporated into a public sculpture known as La Noche de San Juan.
The artwork became a familiar sight near Las Cucharas, although the wooden elements were eventually removed after deterioration created safety concerns.
It is a fascinating reminder that the consequences of the Telamón shipwreck extended far beyond the coastline where the vessel was abandoned.
HOW DID THE TELAMÓN BECOME A TOURIST ATTRACTION?
Over the years, the ship's appearance changed dramatically.
The sea gradually broke down the structure, and the vessel eventually separated into sections. Much of the original ship disappeared beneath the water, leaving the remaining rusty framework visible from the shore.
What began as a maritime accident slowly became part of Lanzarote's landscape.
The Telamón became known locally as the ghost ship, and its unusual appearance attracted visitors interested in photography, maritime history and shipwrecks.
For many residents, it became a familiar landmark along the road between Arrecife and Costa Teguise.
However, the attraction also brought concerns.
As the structure deteriorated, the remaining metal became increasingly unstable. The wreck presented potential dangers to people attempting to approach it, climb on it or explore it underwater.
The ship's future became the subject of growing debate.
Some people felt it should be preserved as part of Lanzarote's maritime heritage, while others believed the deteriorating wreck needed to be removed for safety reasons.
WAS THE TELAMÓN SUPPOSED TO BE REMOVED?
Yes. Plans to remove the ship were officially set in motion several years ago.
In 2019, the Spanish Ministry of Defence began the process of arranging the removal and dismantling of the wreck.
The project was intended to recover the remaining structure and remove the ship from the coastline.
Following further administrative procedures, a company was eventually awarded the work.
The removal operation finally began in September 2022.
For residents and visitors who had heard rumours about the ship's removal for years, this appeared to be the beginning of the end for the famous wreck.
But the project soon encountered problems.
WHY DID THE REMOVAL WORK STOP?
The dismantling work was halted after concerns were raised about potentially hazardous materials and the environmental requirements surrounding the operation.
There were reports of concerns relating to possible dangerous residues, including the potential presence of asbestos.
The company responsible for the removal disputed some of the concerns, stating that the vessel consisted primarily of iron and that the work had been complying with the required regulations.
The situation resulted in further paperwork, investigations and administrative complications.
Although the removal had officially begun, the project was no longer progressing as originally anticipated.
This was particularly frustrating because the ship had already been awarded for dismantling, machinery had been brought to the site, and work had begun on recovering sections of the vessel.
SO, WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE TELAMÓN NOW?
This is where the story becomes particularly frustrating.
The removal project has been the subject of repeated delays, despite the original intention being to dismantle and remove the wreck.
The ship's future remains an important issue for the coastline between Arrecife and Costa Teguise.
A PIECE OF LANZAROTE'S MARITIME HISTORY
Whether people believe the Telamón should have been removed years ago or feel that it has become part of the island's identity, there is no denying its place in Lanzarote's history.
The ship represents a time when maritime transport was essential to the island's economy, and its final voyage was an emergency that could have had serious consequences for Arrecife's main port.
Its presence has also created an unusual landmark that has fascinated residents and visitors for generations.
The next time you travel along the coast between Arrecife and Costa Teguise, spare a thought for the enormous cargo ship that arrived in Lanzarote in 1981 and never left.
After 45 years, the Telamón remains a reminder of one of the island's most unusual maritime stories.
And the question that so many people have been asking for years remains:
Will Lanzarote's famous ghost ship finally disappear from the coastline, or will another chapter be added to its remarkable story?
