FRED OLSEN EXPRESS

Fred Olsen Express concludes 2024 with over 3.7 million passengers, a connection to El Hierro, and two new cargo ships.

Fred. Olsen Express celebrates its 50th anniversary in the Canary Islands by closing 2024 with the trust of more than 3.7 million passengers, over 66,000 pets transported, and more than one million vehicles on its inter-island routes. Additionally, this year the company resumed the connection between El Hierro and Tenerife and reinforced the archipelago’s cargo services with two new RORO ships linking Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.

Growth and fleet expansion

To meet the growing demand, Fred. Olsen Express increased the number of crossings by 3% in 2024, achieving a total of 22,500 trips. “As part of our commitment to flexibility and providing the best services, this year we invested in two new ships for our fleet,” said Juan Ignacio Liaño, fleet director. The Buganvilla Express strengthened the route between Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) and Corralejo (Fuerteventura), while the Barlovento Express, a fast ferry, enhanced the connection between Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) and Morro Jable (Fuerteventura).

Focus on cargo services

Fred. Olsen Express made significant strides in cargo transportation in 2024 with the addition of two exclusive RORO ships. This initiative allowed the company to transport over 1.3 million linear meters of cargo, equivalent to more than 950,000 tons of goods—an 18% increase compared to the previous year. These goods included food products, packaging, textiles, glass, and hazardous materials.

Reopening the El Hierro-Tenerife route

The company ended its anniversary year with the relaunch of the route between El Hierro and Tenerife. The first trip was made on 31 December using the newly refurbished Bentago Express, which offers 16 weekly connections during winter (eight from each port) and 20 in summer.

Sustainability and innovation

Fred. Olsen Express remains committed to environmental conservation. In 2024, the company renewed its collaboration with Canary Islands universities to protect marine wildlife and organised various initiatives, including coastal clean-ups and educational workshops. The company was also recognised for its innovations, such as using artificial intelligence and thermal cameras to detect floating objects at sea.

Juan Ignacio Liaño highlighted: “In 2024, we made further progress in making our operations more environmentally friendly through our ‘In Harmony with the Sea’ project, which includes more than 70 measures focused on environmental care. These investments in technology and sustainable practices are helping us shape the future of the maritime sector.”

Fred. Olsen Express continues to lead in connecting the Canary Islands while remaining dedicated to quality, sustainability, and innovation.