Fred. Olsen Express, the leading maritime transport company in the Canary Islands, is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Monday, 8th July. More than 400 attendees, including authorities, collaborators, employees, and company officials, have embarked on a commemorative journey from Los Cristianos (Tenerife) to the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera.
The ceremonial anniversary event took place aboard the ‘Benchijigua Express’ once docked at the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera. Present at the event were the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and the President of the Cabildo de La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo, among other authorities and business representatives from the islands.
Recognising the Journey
During his speech, the CEO of Fred. Olsen S.A., Andrés Marín, expressed gratitude to all present and reviewed the company’s beginnings, as well as the significant contribution of the Olsen family to the socio-economic development of the Canary Islands through the establishment of the archipelago’s maritime connection network. He also gave special recognition to all current and past staff for their commitment and dedication.
Fred Olsen Express 50th Anniversary / La Provincia
The President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, stated, “It would not be possible to review the last 50 years of the history of the Canary Islands without mentioning Fred. Olsen Express, which today celebrates half a century connecting our islands, breaking down the barriers of insularity and contributing to the advancement of this archipelago as one people.”
More than 400 attendees, authorities, collaborators, and company employees participated in the institutional event commemorating this half-century of activity
The President of the Cabildo de La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo, highlighted how the alliance between Fred. Olsen and La Gomera changed the island forever, emphasizing how the arrival of Ferry Gomera in the 1970s opened the doors of La Gomera to the world.
At the event, attendees were able to walk through a “tunnel of time” featuring an exhibition of the company’s historical uniforms. Additionally, audiovisual elements were presented, and speeches were made reviewing the evolution of Fred. Olsen Express, its milestones, and its contribution to the development of the Canary Islands.
Commemorative Documentary and Book
Guests enjoyed a documentary in which employees, customers, and collaborators narrated the trajectory of the shipping company, from its initial journey to its expansion and transformation towards a sustainable navigation model. Additionally, the company unveiled a book summarising its first 50 years of history.
About Fred. Olsen Express
Fred. Olsen Express is the leading ferry company in the inter-island market of the Canary Islands. Since 1974, when it began its journey with the first Ferry Gomera between San Sebastián de La Gomera and Los Cristianos (Tenerife), it has maintained its commitment to the development of maritime transport in the archipelago. Currently, it operates five maritime routes and also connects the archipelago with the Iberian Peninsula.
True to its mission of generating wealth in the Canarian community, the company employs approximately 1,000 people. It carries out an average of 22,000 trips per year, transporting over 3.5 million people annually, more than 63,000 pets, around a million cars, and approximately 1,300,000 linear meters of cargo, equivalent to about 100,000 commercial vehicles. Since its inception, more than 85 million passengers have trusted the company.
In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Canarian Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, through its programme ‘In Harmony with the Sea’, Fred. Olsen Express applies innovation in all its processes to minimize its environmental footprint.
