DFDS Completes Acquisition of Naviera Armas Ferry, Expands Presence in the Strait of Gibraltar

DFDS completed the acquisition of the ferry operations that Naviera Armas maintained in the Strait of Gibraltar on the Algeciras-Tangier Med route, after competition authorities in Spain and Morocco approved the deal. The agreement includes a combined freight and passenger vessel (RoPax), the permits linked to operating the route, and the transfer of around 200 employees to DFDS, for a total price of DKK 165 million.

The acquired ferry is the Volcán de Tamasite, a RoPax built in 2004, which will join DFDS's fleet in the Strait of Gibraltar, currently made up of two vessels. According to Portal Portuario, the vessel has capacity for 1,469 passengers and 1,414 lane meters of cargo, and is expected to enter service with DFDS in mid-November. In addition, DFDS increased its capacity share from 33% to 50% in a jointly operated freight ferry (RoRo) that runs on the same route together with other operators.

Michael Hansen, CEO of DFDS, noted that the Strait of Gibraltar is an important link for trade and travel, and that the company looks forward to continuing to serve the region with additional capacity, providing greater flexibility and improved connectivity for freight and passenger customers. For his part, Ronny Moriana Glindemann, Managing Director of DFDS for the Strait of Gibraltar, stated that adding a third vessel strengthens the company's position in the area and allows it to respond to growing demand in the coming years. DFDS operates more than 10,000 crossings per year across the strait, carrying cargo that includes fresh produce, automotive parts, textiles and industrial goods.

According to DFDS's statement, the company had also agreed to acquire Naviera Armas' operations on the Algeciras-Ceuta route, but that part of the agreement was conditional on the level of restrictions imposed by the competition authority. As the requirements set by the Spanish authority exceeded the agreed conditions, DFDS decided not to move forward with that acquisition. The company kept its capex forecast for 2026 unchanged at DKK 1,700 million, since the additional DKK 165 million in capex from the acquisition will be offset by lower-than-expected investment operating expenditure.

Specialized media outlets such as Ports Europe confirmed that DFDS is thereby strengthening its presence in the Strait of Gibraltar by adding a combined freight and passenger ferry on the Algeciras-Tangier Med route, increasing capacity and flexibility for those traveling and shipping goods between Europe and North Africa.