The Valencia-based company will manage routes in the Canary Islands, the Alboran Sea, and parts of the Strait, the majority of which have been acquired by DFDS.

ALICANTE, 25 Aug. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Baleària has reached agreements with the owners of Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea for the acquisition of their operations in the Canary Islands and the Alboran Sea, in addition to part of the Strait, which has largely been purchased by the Danish shipping group DFDS.

The completion of the operation is contingent upon approvals from the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC).

The acquisition encompasses the management of 15 vessels and the operation of maritime routes, along with the integration of 1,500 employees from both land and fleet operations, as announced by the company in a statement.

The inter-island routes in the Canary Islands, as well as the routes from the Canary Islands to the mainland, Alboran, and Algeria, generated approximately €420 million in revenue in 2024.

The key assets involved in this operation include the vessels Volcán de Teno, Volcán de Tamadaba, Villa Tazacorte, Volcán de Tinamar, Volcán de Tindaya, Juan J Sister, Almariya, and Volcán de Timanfaya, along with port terminals, offices, concessions, and service agreements at critical ports for the Group’s operations in these regions, including La Esfinge, Tenerife, Arrecife, Puerto Rosario, Cádiz, Melilla, Motril, Almería, La Palma, La Gomera, Valverde, Los Cristianos, Algeria, and Nador.

The routes included from the Strait generated roughly €66 million in revenue in 2024.

The primary assets acquired by Baleària in this deal include the vessel Ciudad de Málaga and a concession in Algeciras.

DFDS, in turn, acquires the vessels Volcán de Tamasite and Villa de Agaete, along with the concessions and terminals in Algeciras, Ceuta, and Tangier Med.

Baleària’s President, Adolfo Utor, stated that “these strategic agreements will allow the shipping company, based in Denia, to achieve the size and capacity needed to compete in a market dominated by large, financially strong multinational groups, as well as to ensure the stability of maritime services and employment.”

“If this operation proceeds, it would enable a local shipping company to continue competing effectively with the new large shipping groups already operating in our waters,” he remarked.

Furthermore, with the necessary approval from the CNMC, Utor indicated that “Baleària would take over the historic Trasmediterránea and Naviera Armas, so well-rooted and valued in the Canary Islands, and with the synergies generated, consolidate the presence of a competitive local shipping company.”

Additionally, Utor emphasised that the approval of these operations “would ensure stability and territorial cohesion in a strategic sector,” as “a Spanish shipping company would be capable of managing all public interest routes.”

“The structuring of the national territory cannot be understood without stable, high-quality, modern, and regular maritime connections; a role we have embraced for over 25 years, which we highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and which we are willing to continue to provide comprehensively,” he added.

He also noted that Baleària is “aware” of the “great challenge” involved in carrying out this process: “We are prepared and convinced that we will be able to turn this challenge into reality, and for that we have the enthusiasm and commitment of all our stakeholders, incorporating the synergies and strengths of the new teams.”

“FINAL TOUCH” TO THE RESTRUCTURING OF NAVIERA ARMAS

Sergio Vélez, CEO and President of Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea, stated that they are “very proud” to announce these agreements, which “reflect the effort, dedication, and unwavering commitment of the entire Armas Trasmediterránea team: crew members, terminal teams, and those in central areas, both in maritime and land operations.”

In his view, “this step consolidates our future in the regions where we operate and demonstrates our transformative capacity and constant improvement. With this operation, Armas Trasmediterránea integrates into a larger project that will open new opportunities for our employees and collaborators.”

He elaborated that “these agreements put the finishing touch to a demanding, lengthy, but very successful restructuring and transformation process, thanks to the commitment of all parties involved in recovering the company’s value.”