Fred. Olsen Express presents, on the occasion of Canary Islands Day, a documentary dedicated to its 50 years of bringing the islands together by sea, titled “Always by Your Side”. Through this audiovisual piece, the ferry company acknowledges the commitment of its team, both those who were part of its foundation and early years of expansion, as well as currently, where it employs around 1,000 people.
Since its inception in 1974, the company has transported over 85 million passengers, staying true to its commitment to connect the archipelago comfortably, efficiently, and safely. Each year, it carries out an average of 22,000 trips through its routes in the Canary Islands and linking the islands with the Iberian Peninsula, through the route connecting Gran Canaria and Tenerife with Huelva.
Juan Ignacio Liaño, Fleet Director of Fred. Olsen Express, explains, “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Canary Islands Day than by sharing a summary of all the experiences that have brought us to today since 1974 with the start of the route that connected La Gomera and Tenerife. A story that is part of the idiosyncrasy that defines us as islands and also reflects the social, cultural, and economic changes that the archipelago has undergone.”
“With this work, we want to show our gratitude to the thousands of people who, over these five decades, have been part of the Fred. Olsen Express family and have enabled us to stay at the technological forefront, betting on innovation in different projects, to be more environmentally friendly and provide quality service to the Canarian society,” added Liaño.
A network that raised more than five million euros was dismantled: one search was in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria / La Provincia
A Shipping Company Committed to the Canaries
[–>
The documentary highlights the crucial role that Fred. Olsen Express has played, over the last half-century, in the maritime connectivity of the Canaries. As well as its contribution to the development of the so-called “sea motorway” which, besides being one of the preferred transportation methods for travellers, is a crucial communication route, given the geographical characteristics of the archipelago, for transporting supplies to replenish the islands, as many goods cannot be moved in any other way.
Fred. Olsen Express has been instrumental in crises such as the eruption of the volcano on La Palma in 2021 or the forest fire in Tenerife in 2023, enabling the movement of emergency personnel. Likewise, from its inception, it has assisted in transporting passengers from the smaller islands with medical emergencies. This is why the measure was implemented for a captain and a chief engineer to sleep on board, so the ship is available at any time.
Fred. Olsen Express has already shared this 15-minute documentary, which summarises its half-century of activity connecting the Canaries, through social media and the company’s website.
