Baleària Canarias Makes Rapid Progress in La Gomera and Gradually Gains the Trust of La Palma

The executives of Fred. Olsen Express, particularly the Fleet Management, seem to be showing signs of nervousness in the face of Baleària Canarias' presence. Although the company led by Adolfo Utor still has a long way to go on the La Palma route due to the disastrous legacy left by its immediate predecessors, who mistreated the Palmero public and pushed them towards the competition without hesitation, it seems they are doing something right with both the trimaran “Pepita Castellví” and the catamaran “Volcán de Tirajana,” whose occupancy rates, while still modest, invite optimism.

We say that the Fleet Management of Fred. Olsen Express is nervous because they have ordered the trimaran “Benchijigua Express” to leave immediately after the trimaran “Pepita Castellví” from La Palma. In other words, Baleària Canarias' departure is set for 06:15 h and Fred. Olsen's for 06:30 h. However, this morning, the trimaran “Benchijigua Express” left at 06:18 h, and despite that, the trimaran “Pepita Castellí” arrived with a difference of over 15 minutes and maintained a speed of one knot above throughout the crossing.

On the other hand, the commercial management, presumably with the approval of senior management and the board composed of trusted individuals from Annete S. Olsen, seems willing to enter a price war, as seen on social media, lowering some fares to striking limits.

According to Radio Escobén, the Fleet Management of Fred. Olsen Express is sending emails and more emails distributing responsibilities and calling captains, chief engineers, and first officers to hold large meetings at the Tecina hotel — even involving some historical figures — encouraging and warning about what may happen in light of the foreseeable evolution of the new situation.

While it is true that Fred. Olsen Express is a large company and offers good service, there is no doubt that Baleària Canarias is also a strong competitor and provides good service as well. The novelty of the trimaran “Pepita Castellví” in the Green Islands, with its attractive lounges and attentive, friendly staff, is capturing the interest not only of La Palma but also of La Gomera, which is the traditional stronghold of Fred. Olsen. According to reports we receive, even from the competition, Baleària Canarias is increasingly favored by word of mouth and positive reviews from service users.

Despite the considerable distance that still separates both companies — as we can see in the occupancy rates during the week, where Fred. Olsen now offers promotional fares — this trend changes on weekends. For example, last Sunday, Baleària Canarias boarded 120 cars in La Palma on the 16:30 h trip, while Fred. Olsen boarded almost 200 half an hour later, in round numbers.

Just as Fred. Olsen Express customers prefer to travel on the trimaran “Benchijigua Express,” Baleària Canarias customers also prefer to travel on the trimaran “Pepita Castellví.” However, the reality is that to maintain the double rotation with the level of efficiency required for high-speed service, it is necessary to count on the rotations of the catamarans “Bencomo Express” for the first and “Volcán de Tirajana” for the second. The important thing, in any case, is that the level of high-speed maritime communications enjoyed by La Palma and La Gomera is maintained.

Despite the risk and economic cost involved, Baleària Canarias' commitment to La Palma with a double daily rotation and four round trips with La Gomera demonstrates that Adolfo Utor is willing to completely reverse the poor image from the previous stage. Although in the case of La Palma, it is very likely that there is an oversupply of capacity for the actual demand, the island has eight daily trips this summer — four from each company — between them.

There are other interesting data that we are waiting to learn more about, but we know that the recovery of the Morro Jable line is yielding results that also invite optimism, exceeding initial forecasts.

The service of three daily trips between Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Morro Jable operated by Baleària Canarias with the catamarans “Mercedes Pinto,” “Volcán de Tagoro,” and “Volcán de Taidía,” plus the option of “the three in line” from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is capturing more and more interest from passengers, and the “maritime bridge” between capitals is registering occupancy rates that haven’t been seen in a long time, even in the Premium class, which was greatly neglected by previous managers.

We have received information that the catamaran “Volcán de Taidía” boarded almost 800 passengers and about 300 cars on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Santa Cruz de Tenerife route last Sunday afternoon, of which 350 passengers and 150 cars came from Morro Jable, and approximately 200 and 70 cars in round numbers were headed for Tenerife, which is a good record.

Despite the effort to maintain punctuality, the 40-minute stop at the port of Las Palmas has proven insufficient, and last Sunday there was a delay, even though the staff tried to adhere to the punctuality standard imposed by the company’s management. This issue requires a review to try to fine-tune the times in port operations, as much as possible.

Photo: Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo