By
Laura Hyde |
Canary Islands-based shipping company Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea is to sell multiple ships and operating rights for maritime routes and terminals to Danish ferry operator DFDS and Spanish ferry operator Baleària.
DFDS is to purchase ro-pax ferry Volcan de Tamasite, which was built in 2004, and the high-speed catamaran ferry Villa de Agaete, built in 1999. The vessels will operate on the route between Algeciras, Spain, and Tanger Med, Morocco, and the route between Algeciras and Ceuta (an autonomous city of Spain on the North African coast) as DFDS will take over existing permits related to these routes. DFDS will also take on around 200 Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea employees.
“The growth of the Strait of Gibraltar ferry market has exceeded our expectations since we entered the market in 2024,” said Mathieu Girardin, head of ferry division at DFDS. “The two ferries we are purchasing are already operating on overlapping routes and we expect to deliver a smooth transition and an immediate enhancement of services to both passengers and freight customers.”
Meanwhile, Baleària will take over operations in the Canary Islands and Alboran Sea, as well as part of the Strait of Gibraltar. As part of the agreement, it will also acquire 15 ships and 1,500 shore and fleet employees.
“[This deal] will help a local Spanish shipping company to continue competing efficiently with the large groups that have recently arrived and are already operating in our waters,” said Adolfo Utor, Baleària president. “Baleària will take up the baton from the historic Trasmediterránea and the Armas shipping company, both deeply rooted and highly regarded in the Canary Islands. We are well prepared and fully convinced that we will be able to turn this project into a reality. We know we can count on the enthusiasm and commitment of all our stakeholders to make this happen, and we will be bringing the synergies and strengths of our new teams to the table.”
Both agreements are subject to regulatory approvals and are expected to be completed in 2026.