Baleària Canarias increases its occupancy on the routes to La Gomera and La Palma, while Fred. Olsen Express reacts with adjusted schedules and promotional fares. The trimaran 'Pepita Castellví' is establishing itself as an alternative.
Competition on the maritime routes of the Green Islands is intensifying. Baleària Canarias, with the trimaran “Pepita Castellví” as its flagship, is gaining the trust of passengers in La Gomera and La Palma, according to occupancy data and observations of daily operations. The company, led by Adolfo Utor, has managed to reverse the negative image inherited from the previous concession and is now challenging the historic dominant player, Fred. Olsen Express.
Fred. Olsen's Response: Adjusted Schedules and Price War
The management of Fred. Olsen Express's Fleet has shown signs of nervousness in the face of Baleària's advance. One of the most visible decisions has been to bring forward the departure of the trimaran “Benchijigua Express” to leave just after the “Pepita Castellví” from La Palma. While Baleària departs at 06:15, Fred. Olsen used to leave at 06:30, but this morning the “Benchijigua Express” set off at 06:18. Nevertheless, Baleària's vessel arrived in Los Cristianos with over 15 minutes' advantage, maintaining an average speed one knot higher.
On the commercial front, Fred. Olsen has initiated a price war, with promotional fares visible on social media. The company has also called for large meetings at the Tecina hotel with captains, chief engineers, and officers, according to sources from Radio Escobén, to encourage the staff and warn about the new competitive situation.
La Gomera, the Shaky Stronghold
La Gomera, traditionally a stronghold of Fred. Olsen, is the scene where Baleària Canarias is advancing with more force. Word of mouth and positive user reviews are benefiting Utor's company, which is growing every day, according to reports even from the competition. Although during the week Fred. Olsen maintains higher occupancy rates, the trend evens out on weekends: last Sunday, Baleària loaded 120 cars in La Palma at 16:30, compared to nearly 200 from Fred. Olsen half an hour later.
Baleària's commitment includes a double daily rotation and four round trips with La Gomera. Despite the economic risk, the company demonstrates its commitment to the Green Islands. In total, La Palma and La Gomera will have eight daily high-speed trips this summer — four from each ferry operator — ensuring a broad service for residents and tourists.
The Morro Jable Route and the Maritime Bridge on the Rise
Baleària is also achieving good results on the Morro Jable (Fuerteventura) line, with three daily trips from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria operated by the catamarans “Mercedes Pinto”, “Volcán de Tagoro”, and “Volcán de Taidía”. The “three in line” option from Santa Cruz de Tenerife is capturing passenger interest, with occupancy rates not seen in a long time, even in the Premium class, which had been neglected by the previous management.
Last Sunday, the catamaran “Volcán de Taidía” embarked nearly 800 passengers and around 300 cars on the Las Palmas-Santa Cruz de Tenerife route. Of these, 350 passengers and 150 cars came from Morro Jable, while about 200 passengers and 70 cars were headed for Tenerife. A record that invites optimism, according to company sources.
However, punctuality remains a challenge. The 40-minute stopover at the port of Las Palmas has proven insufficient, and there was a delay on Sunday. Baleària's management is working to adjust the timings in port operations.
Competition on the Canary routes benefits the passenger, who now has more options and better prices. While Fred. Olsen defends its position with tactical measures, Baleària Canarias shows that it has come to stay, gradually gaining ground in the Green Islands.
You may also like
