By
Alice Chambers |
Spanish ferry line Baleària handled more than 4.77 million passengers and over 1.2 million vehicles in 2022, the highest numbers it has ever recorded in its 25-year history.
Baleària transported 64 per cent more passengers than it did in 2021 and passenger shipping now accounts for almost 60 per cent of its business each year. The line also found that 19 per cent of its passengers travelled on its newly activated international routes, following the opening of Moroccan and Algerian borders. This led to a high level of demand to cross the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea towards Ceuta and Melilla, Spain, respectively.
“Baleària has obtained historic revenues of €563 million ($594 million) thanks to the hard work and commitment of all our teams,” said Adolfo Utor, president of Baleària. “Efficient cost management and the ability to adapt to a volatile environment have been key to our success, as well as giving great consideration to the fuel derivatives market. Our results demonstrate the ferry industry’s robustness following the impact of the pandemic.”
Baleària has a fleet of 34 ships that operate on 25 routes in six countries. The company has invested €61 million ($64 million) to build a new, eco-efficient fleet with better services for passengers. Its first electric ferry, Cap de Barbaria, was launched in Spain and will begin operating this summer with zero emissions.
Baleària has also completed a refit onboard Hedy Lamarr and began construction on new fast ferry Margarita Salas. Both vessels are equipped with dual-fuel engines to reduce carbon emissions.
The line is also continuing to support communities, including providing transport and accommodation for 25 refugee family members of Ukrainian crew members.
“Our values are responsibility, innovation, sustainability and solvency, as well as generating trust, which is why for yet another year we have strived to guarantee excellence in our services,” said Utor. “As a result, the loyalty index, both among passengers and freight customers, stood at around 95 per cent, and the company achieved high levels of satisfaction, especially among Baleària Club members, who grew by 504 per cent.”