Tag

Baleària

Oct 30
Love0

Baleària floats out first fully electric fast ferry for Tarifa–Tangier

By 2026 Newsletter week 44

Baleària has floated out the first of two fully electric fast ferries at Armón’s shipyard in Gijón. The vessel is scheduled to enter service between Tarifa and Tangier City in summer 2027, with its sister ship joining after the summer.

The 87-metre aluminium catamaran incorporates a 14 MWh battery system. Both vessels will operate entirely on electric power, enabling crossings without direct emissions. Baleària describes the project as the first fully electric maritime connection between Europe and Africa.

Investment in the two ferries and the electrification of the ports of Tarifa and Tangier City exceeds EUR 200 million.

The catamarans are being built in parallel in the same dry dock. During the float-out, the partially assembled second vessel also became afloat but remained in position. The dock will now be drained so construction of the sister ship can continue.

The first vessel will undergo interior outfitting and systems commissioning, followed by sea trials before delivery.

Aug 24
Love3

Baleària Moves Closer to Own Ferry Terminal in Valencia

By 2026 Newsletter week 34

Baleària has moved a step closer to securing its own passenger and freight terminal at the Port of Valencia after no competing proposals were submitted during the one-month public consultation period.

The Port Authority of Valencia (APV) will now proceed with preparing the concession terms and processing the project before a final decision by its Board of Directors.

Baleària is seeking a 35-year concession for an 80,704 m² site at the South Dock, close to its current operations at the Turia Dock. The new facility would be dedicated exclusively to ferry passengers and freight.

The project replaces an earlier terminal concession awarded in 2022 and cancelled by APV in November 2025 as part of plans to reconsider the integration of passenger-port activities with the city.

Unlike the previous €100 million project, which also included cruise traffic and involved a partner, the new proposal is being developed by Baleària alone and has a smaller footprint.

Aug 03
Love3

Baleària Expands Canary Islands Logistics Business

By 2026 Newsletter week 31

Baleària Canarias has acquired Transportes Intercanarios SA from the Armas family, strengthening its integrated maritime and land transport operations in the Canary Islands.

Founded in 1976, Transportes Intercanarios is a leading logistics company in the archipelago, providing freight transport and port services across Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The company employs around 60 people and operates a fleet of more than 500 vehicles and cargo units, including tractor units, semi-trailers, port machinery and refrigerated containers.

Baleària said the acquisition will allow it to better integrate its maritime and land transport activities, improving efficiency and service for customers in the Canary Islands.

Jul 06
Love3

Baleària Completes Armas Routes Acquisition

By 2026 Newsletter week 27

Baleària has completed the integration of Armas Trasmediterránea’s Alboran Sea and Strait of Gibraltar routes after receiving all required approvals from Spanish and Moroccan competition authorities.

The transaction includes the vessels JJ SISTER, ALMARIYA, VOLCÁN DE TIMANFAYA and CIUDAD DE MÁLAGA, together with route concessions and approximately 250 employees. The deal follows the integration of the Canary Islands operations completed in May.

With the acquisition, Baleària strengthens its presence on routes linking mainland Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands, and North Africa. The enlarged group now operates more than 50 vessels, employs nearly 4,500 people and carries over 8 million passengers annually.

Jun 06
Love3

Baleària Freight Volumes Grow 10% in 2025

By 2026 Newsletter week 23

Baleària transported 8.39 million lane metres of freight in 2025, a 10% increase compared with the previous year, reinforcing its position as a leading logistics operator in the Mediterranean and Atlantic markets.

Freight activities accounted for 36% of the company’s revenue, with services to the Balearic Islands and Morocco remaining key markets. Following the acquisition of Armas Trasmediterránea, the group expects annual freight volumes to reach 11 million lane metres.

Baleària also reported a 12% reduction in CO₂ emissions per lane metre transported, driven by fleet efficiency improvements, lower-emission fuels and operational optimisation.

In addition, the company has launched a new online booking platform that allows freight customers to check availability, obtain prices and reserve cargo space in real time.

May 22
Love3

Baleària Takes Control of Armas Trasmediterránea Operations in the Canary Islands

By 2026 Newsletter week 21

Baleària has taken effective control of Armas Trasmediterránea operations in the Canary Islands, including inter-island services and routes linking the archipelago with mainland Spain.

The combined group will employ around 4,500 people and operate a fleet of more than 50 vessels, transporting over 8 million passengers and 11 million linear metres of freight annually. Consolidated turnover is expected to exceed €1 billion.

The transaction brings together three historic Spanish ferry operators: Trasmediterránea, Armas and Baleària. The company says the move strengthens Baleària’s position as Spain’s leading ferry operator and one of Europe’s largest ferry groups.

Baleària plans to invest €45 million over the next three years to improve and modernise the acquired fleet in the Canary Islands. The company also confirmed that all fleet and shore-based jobs will be retained.

Operations in the archipelago will be carried out under the new Baleària Canarias brand, which will coexist temporarily with the Armas Trasmediterránea identity during the transition period.

The acquisition agreement was first announced in August 2025. Procedures concerning the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea operations are still pending completion.

May 15
Love3

Baleària Plans Record Summer Operation with 37 Daily Services Between Spain and North Africa

By 2026 Newsletter week 20

Baleària is preparing its largest-ever Strait Crossing Operation, with up to 37 daily sailings between Spain and Morocco, Algeria, Ceuta and Melilla.

Running from 15 June to 15 September, the operation will deploy 12 vessels across eight routes to meet peak summer demand as thousands of passengers travel to North Africa to reunite with their families.

Stronger Network to Morocco

Morocco remains Baleària’s largest market in the region, after carrying nearly one million passengers during last year’s campaign.

Key enhancements include:

  • Up to 12 daily departures on the Tarifa–Tangier City service.
  • Increased capacity through deployment of a larger fast ferry.
  • Nine daily sailings on the Algeciras–Tangier Med route.
  • An average of three daily departures on Almería–Nador.

Continued Commitment to Algeria

Baleària will again offer five weekly services to Algeria:

  • Three weekly sailings from Valencia to Mostaganem.
  • One weekly service from Barcelona to Algiers.
  • One weekly service from Barcelona to Oran.

The company is marking ten years of operations in the Algerian market.

Reliable Links to Ceuta and Melilla

Baleària will operate:

  • Up to 11 daily connections with Ceuta.
  • One to two daily services to Melilla.

Tailored Onboard Services

To improve the travel experience, Baleària will offer:

  • Arabic- and French-speaking passenger assistance.
  • Halal menus.
  • Dedicated prayer rooms.

General Manager Georges Bassoul said North Africa has become the group’s fastest-growing business area in recent years.

With expanded capacity, tailored services and a record schedule, Baleària is strengthening its role as a key operator connecting Spain with North Africa during the busy summer season.

Apr 24
Love3

Baleària Starts Sea Trials Of MERCEDES PINTO

By 2026 Newsletter week 17

Baleària has started sea trials in Gijón for the fast ferry MERCEDES PINTO, the company’s third dual-fuel natural gas catamaran being completed at the Armon shipyard.

Delivery is expected in May. Baleària plans to deploy the vessel on Canary Islands routes once the acquisition of Armas Trasmediterránea’s island assets is completed.

The trials will assess manoeuvrability, speed, stability, engine performance, and the operation of power, navigation, safety and propulsion systems. Tests will be carried out using both natural gas and diesel.

MERCEDES PINTO will carry up to 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles. The vessel follows the design and comfort standards of sister ships ELEANOR ROOSEVELT and MARGARITA SALAS.

Facilities include two passenger decks, indoor and outdoor cafés, a children’s play area and pet-friendly spaces.

The vessel is named after Mercedes Pinto, the Tenerife-born writer, poet and social reform advocate.

Mar 27
Love3

Baleària Awarded 27-Year Concession for New Barcelona Ferry Terminal

By 2026 Newsletter week 13

The Port Authority of Barcelona has granted Baleària a concession to build and operate a new passenger and RoRo cargo terminal at the Adosado dock.

  • Concession term: 27 years (renewable)
  • No competing bids were submitted after public consultation
  • Application filed in December 2024

Port President José Alberto Carbonell said the project will strengthen operational capacity and support more efficient and sustainable port operations.

Project Scope

The project includes full development of the terminal area:

  • 5,600 m² terminal building (passengers and offices)
  • Passenger and vehicle handling areas
  • Truck and car waiting zones
  • Semi-trailer storage and internal roads
  • Parking, taxi and bus areas, public spaces

Additional features:

  • Boarding bridges
  • OPS (shore power) readiness
  • Photovoltaic energy system
  • Total investment: €25.3 million

Phased Development

  • Phase 1 (Feb 2027): 38,000 m² operational area
  • Phase 2 (end 2029): full 75,250 m² site
  • Final setup: 4 simultaneous RoRo berths
Mar 06
Love3

Baleària Expands High-Speed Fleet with Trimaran

By 2026 Newsletter week 10
  • Baleària has acquired a 102-metre high-speed trimaran to strengthen its fast ferry fleet.
  • The vessel, to be renamed PEPA CASTELLVÍ, was built by Austal and can carry 870 passengers and 250 vehicles, with 190 lane metres for freight and a top speed of 35 knots.
  • Previously operated by Condor Ferries, the former CONDOR LIBERATION will undergo technical works and a refit in Algeciras.
  • Entry into service is expected in summer 2026, increasing Baleària’s high-speed capacity.