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.

Extra RoRo ship on Fred. Olsen – Baleària route between Canary Islands and Huelva

By 2022 Newsletter week 44

As of 5 November 2022, roro ship SHIPPER will be added to the route jointly operated by Fred. Olsen and Baleària. (Between the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands).

The new service is a response to the increase in two types of cargo:
To the Iberian Peninsula: perishable products
To the Canary Islands: in freight transport during the Christmas period
The new service will be added to the two departures made by ropax MARIE CURIE to date, so carriers will have 3 weekly departures.
SHIPPER will depart from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. and from Huelva on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m.
The connection with other islands will be done with the fast ferries of Fred. Olsen.