The Government of the Canary Islands has stated this Monday, after learning of the acquisition by Baleària of the activity and traffic of Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea, that it hopes that this operation will be positive and that connectivity in the archipelago is guaranteed.
The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Mobility, Pablo Rodríguez, has highlighted in statements sent to EFE that, after having gone through "many difficulties" in recent years, this operation may be "very positive for the stability and the future" of the Canarian company.
Rodríguez has pointed out that Armas Trasmediterránea is "fundamental for the maritime connectivity of the archipelago", so he hopes that this movement by Baleària will not alter this fact "to achieve an increasingly cohesive and connected Canary Islands".
For her part, the general director of Transport and Mobility, María Fernández, recalled that in this type of process, "the most important thing is to guarantee the continuity of the service, jobs and maintain maritime connectivity in the Canary Islands."
Likewise, she pointed out that, so far, none of the two shipping companies has communicated to the Ministry any change in their operations that affects the connectivity of the islands.
Purchase of operations in the Canary Islands, Alboran and the Strait
The shipping company Baleària has reported this past Monday that it has closed agreements with the owner of the Canarian Armas Trasmediterránea for the acquisition of its activity in the traffic of the Canary Islands and the Alboran Sea, as well as a part of the Strait.
In a statement, Baleària indicated that the operation is pending execution of the resolutions of the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) and explained that it would include the management of 15 ships and the exploitation of maritime lines as a whole, as well as the integration of 1,500 Land and Fleet employees.