By
Kasturi Datta |
Spanish ferry operator Baleària is acquiring the shipping group, Armas Trasmediterránea, to strengthen sustainable maritime operations across inter-island routes between mainland Spain and its archipelago islands.
The acquisition will result in a workforce of approximately 4,500 employees and a fleet of more than 50 vessels, with the capacity to transport more than eight million passengers.
Baleària will also invest €45 million ($52.2 million) over the span of three years towards the improvement of existing vessels and retention of Armas Trasmediterránea’s existing land and fleet staff.
The company will initially operate under the brand name Baleària Canarias during its transitional period. It will oversee transport on public interest routes across Spain, while also helping maintain Armas Trasmediterránea’s leadership in traffic between Spain and North Africa.
“The new Baleària is ready to ensure the efficiency of the entire national maritime transport network across all its regions,” said Adolfo Utor, president of Baleària. “We are talking about a key infrastructure for territorial cohesion with the Canary and Balearic archipelagos, and with the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, as well as a vital link for political and commercial relations with Morocco and Algeria. We are a nationally owned company capable of guaranteeing sovereignty in a strategic sector for Spain.”
This acquisition will finalise the integration of the three individual Spanish shipping companies – Trasmediterránea, Armas and Baleària – and signify Baleària’s position as a leading operator of maritime transport for Spain, and as one of Europe’s leading ferry operators.