DFDS has taken over the maritime line Algeciras-Tangier Med that was previously operated by Armas Trasmediterránea, as part of the execution of the operation to acquire certain assets of the Spanish company in the Strait of Gibraltar. The transfer includes the service between both shores, part of the staff linked to the activity, and the ferry Volcán de Tamasite, which will be incorporated into the structure of the Danish shipping company.
The operation allows DFDS to expand its activity on a connection it was already present on after acquiring FRS Iberia. Armas, for its part, ceases to operate this route after the transfer of the assets related to the corridor between the port of Algeciras and Tangier Med.
The final configuration of the operation differs from the initial proposal submitted for analysis by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC). DFDS does not ultimately incorporate the Algeciras-Ceuta line or the fast ferry Villa de Agaete, so the acquisition is concentrated on the assets related to the connection with Morocco.
The line to Ceuta had been the main focus of the reservations raised by Competition during the examination of the concentration. The CNMC authorized in July, in a second phase, the acquisition of exclusive control of certain assets of Armas-Trasmediterránea by DFDS, although it established conditions to preserve competition in the link with the autonomous city.
The agency considered that the operation could reduce competitive pressure in the Ceuta market and raise the risk of coordinated behaviors between DFDS and Baleària on the Strait routes. According to the analysis of Competition, the initially planned integration would have reduced the number of operators present in Algeciras-Ceuta from three to two. In Algeciras-Tangier Med, Armas' exit means reducing the number of shipping companies from four to three.
DFDS proposed various measures during the procedure to respond to these objections, including semi-annual monitoring of prices for affected routes, maintaining the quality of service and frequencies that Armas provided between Algeciras and Ceuta during peak demand periods, as well as commitments related to investments, improvements to vessels, environmental sustainability, and compliance with competition regulations.
The CNMC considered these measures insufficient and conditioned the authorization on the transfer to a third party of the necessary elements to maintain the operations that Armas developed in Algeciras-Ceuta. The agency noted in September that it had identified at least one potential interested party in taking over that activity.
The other part of the operation executed now is the Volcán de Tamasite. The ferry was built in 2004 by the Vigo shipyard Hijos de J. Barreras for the Armas Group and has a length of approximately 142 meters. After completing its phase with Armas, the vessel will initially remain in Algeciras for maintenance work before being incorporated into its new operations. It is also planned to be renamed and sail under a Cypriot flag. Part of the crew that was serving on the ship will also integrate into DFDS.
DFDS already operates regularly between Algeciras and Tangier Med with the vessels Tanger Express and Kattegat. The commercial schedule published by the company contemplates multiple daily departures and a crossing time of approximately one and a half hours. The shipping company offers services for passengers and vehicles on this route, as well as transport of rolling cargo.
