Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2021

8 1 Trasmapi’s new high-speed ferry will transport up to 900 passengers and 200 cars between the Balearic Islands in Spain is a year-round operation serving both the local residents and the seasonal tourism interests. Operating over 14,000 crossings per year with up to 29 return sailings per day on the main route between Ibiza and Formentera, the Trasmapi fleet transports about one million passengers annually. For several years Trasmapi has been actively looking to expand with newbuild projects, to consolidate and to further improve its existing business, as well as studying entries into new markets. Marí Washbourne is pragmatic. “The current world situation has probably accelerated these plans as opportunities have arisen in the shipping market. This has allowed us to access several vessels that can enable us to enter the new markets with a guarantee of service that has always been one of our strongest points in consolidating customer fidelity.” The acquisition of Incat 86-metre, wave-piercing catamaran Condor Rapide from Condor Ferries and the 73-metre, high-speed ro-pax catamarans Fairweather and Chenega from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is a significant step towards expansion beyond the heavily competitive Ibiza-Formentera trade. Delivered to Spain by a semi- submersible heavy-lift vessel, the former Alaskan vessels are currently being prepared for their new careers. “Getting Fairweather and Chenega from Alaska to Ibiza via the Panama Canal has been a huge challenge – on account of Covid-19 we couldn’t even inspect the vessels ourselves. However, they are in immaculate condition,” says Marí Washbourne. “Our ferry business has been operating for 47 years, and we believe now is the time to explore new horizons and try to replicate our business model, based not just on growth but also on identifying customer requirements and offering the service they demand. We are long-term players.” Marí Washbourne is optimistic for the future despite the pandemic. Passenger numbers have been heavily affected by the pandemic across the global ferry industry, and the Balearic Islands with its vital tourism industry was no exception.