Fred. Olsen Express is celebrating 51 years of reaffirming its commitment to the archipelago, with the enhancement of its cargo service and the consolidation of the route to El Hierro. Since its first voyage on 8 July 1974, which connected Tenerife with La Gomera, the shipping company has strengthened its commitment to the development of maritime transport in Canary Islands through innovation, implementing sustainability measures across all its processes and services, and offering a transport model that adapts to the needs of the Canarian population.
The Fleet Director of Fred. Olsen Express, Juan Ignacio Liaño, states, “Last year we revived, through an emotional event, the first journey we made in 1974. This meeting served as a boost for us to continue working on initiatives that promote mobility between the islands in a flexible and sustainable way, always keeping Canarians as the driving force behind our activity over these 365 days.”
“Throughout this year, we have continued the investments we started in 2024 to enhance our cargo transport service. Last year, we transported over 1.3 million linear metres of cargo, translating to 950,000 tonnes of goods. In addition, we have acquired an additional RORO vessel, which will allow us to service La Palma, thus ensuring the island’s supply,” explains Liaño.
Over half a century connecting the archipelago
The shipping company commenced 2025 by resuming the route that connects El Hierro with Tenerife. A service provided by the renewed Bentago Express, with 20 weekly connections in summer, ten from each port, and 16 in winter.
“Reaffirming our commitment to the connectivity of the Canary Islands has also been possible thanks to the reactivation of the line connecting the Island of Meridians with Tenerife, which we assess very positively in these initial six months, with over 75,000 passengers and 23,000 vehicles mobilised. Just in April, according to data published by the Port Authority, the number of passengers at La Estaca port increased by 80% compared to 2024,” adds Liaño.
Commitment to the care of the sea through innovation
On its 51st anniversary, Fred. Olsen Express has also reached a new milestone in the technological project it is developing in collaboration with Aeromarine and SEA.AI, completing in June the installation of an early detection system for objects at sea across its entire fleet of large fast ferries.
“After testing it on our Bajamar Express vessel, we observed a significant improvement in visibility during navigation, thereby allowing for automated perimeter surveillance and obstacle detection, with the aim of preventing possible collisions,” highlights Liaño.
This project has been awarded the opPORTunity Award for Technological Innovation, given in 2024 by the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This recognition adds to the Award for Sustainable Tourist Practices 2022, granted by the Cabildo of Tenerife to the digital platform Fred. Olsen Vigía, dedicated to logging sightings from its vessels.
A shipping company recognised for its universal accessibility
This year, Fred. Olsen Express has added to its accolades the Solidarity Award Once Canarias 2025 in the Business category, for its strong and ongoing commitment to inclusion, universal accessibility, and sustainability. This award adds to the Universal Accessibility certification from AENOR for its entire fleet of fast ferries and facilities, obtained in 2023.
