Fred. Olsen Express will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the Canary Islands in 2024, having facilitated the travel of over 3.7 million passengers, more than 66,000 pets, and in excess of one million vehicles on its inter-island routes. Additionally, during this year, it has reinstated the connection between El Hierro and Tenerife and successfully enhanced its cargo services throughout the archipelago by introducing two new RORO vessels linking Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.
In response to a surge in demand, the ferry company has increased its number of trips by 3% in 2024, reaching a total of 22,500. “As part of our dedication to maintaining flexibility and consistently providing optimal services and choices for our users, we have also invested in two new ships for our fleet this year. The Bougainvillea Express enhances the route from Playa Blanca in Lanzarote to Corralejo in Fuerteventura, while our fast ferry Windward Express strengthens the link between Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Morro Jable on the island of Fuerteventura. These initiatives showcase that after five decades of service in the Canary Islands, our company remains committed to innovating and upgrading our facilities to deliver the finest user experience,” states Juan Ignacio Liaño, fleet director of Fred. Olsen Express.
Establishing a new cargo service
In 2024, Fred. Olsen Express made significant advancements in its freight transport services by integrating two dedicated RORO vessels for cargo. This initiative was launched with the aim of ensuring supplies and connections between Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Tenerife.

Father and daughter onboard Fred. Olsen Express / The Province
Thanks to the addition of these new vessels, the shipping company has transported over 1.3 million linear metres of cargo, which equates to over 950 thousand tonnes of goods, marking an increase of 18% compared to the previous year. These deliveries comprise a range of products including foodstuffs, parcels, glass packaging, textiles, and hazardous materials, among others.
A year-end connection throughout the archipelago
To conclude its anniversary year, the ferry company operated its first trip on December 31, resuming its route between El Hierro and Tenerife. “Reconnecting the Meridian Island with Tenerife exemplifies our unwavering commitment to being a vital link within the archipelago. Each year, we set new goals to fulfil this mission,” adds Liaño.
The refurbished Bentago Express is the primary vessel on this new route, providing 16 weekly connections in winter (eight from each port) and 20 in summer.
Sustainability and innovation as essential elements
In 2024, Fred. Olsen Express renewed its partnership with Canarian universities to protect marine wildlife and continued to promote initiatives regarding environmental awareness and care, such as beach clean-up days in collaboration with Terramare Environment, educational workshops aboard with the association Phoenix Canary Islands, and participation in the First Voyage to protect the Cory’s Shearwater.
Moreover, it has received various accolades for its sustainable initiatives, including an award in the innovation category from the opPORTunity Awards. This recognition acknowledges the shipping company’s involvement in a groundbreaking international project alongside Aeromarine and its representative SEA.IA, which utilises thermal cameras and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the detection of floating objects during voyages.
“This 2024 has provided renewed energy to continue our efforts in delivering a quality service that is committed to environmental sustainability. Our initiative ‘In Harmony with the Sea’ includes over 70 measures aimed at environmental care, along with various investments in our fleet and new technologies. This progression allows us to make our operations increasingly eco-friendly and to stay at the forefront of blue initiatives in the global maritime industry,” concludes Liaño.