The ferry “Volcán de Tindaya” (2nd) celebrates twenty years

On July 7, 2003, the ferry “Volcán de Tindaya” entered service, the first ship of the fleet renewal plan initiated twenty years ago by Antonio Armas Fernández. It replaced the previous vessel of the same name on the Playa Blanca-Corralejo route, which has been in service since 1995, and is one of the most in-demand maritime routes in the Canary Islands, managed by Puertos Canarios, as both belong to the Autonomous Community.

Built at the Hijos de J. Barreras shipyard on behalf of Marítima de las Islas, S.L., a company of the Armas Group, the first block of construction number 1,617 was laid on July 12, 2002, and it was launched on January 30, 2003, in a ceremony sponsored by Alexandra Armas Mead, the owner's daughter.

For the command of the new vessel, which cost 23 million euros, Captain Sebastián Hernández Gil and Chief Engineer Fernando Varela Pérez were appointed. The official delivery took place on June 6, and a month later it was inaugurated on the aforementioned route.

It is a beautiful ship, with semi-open spaces designed to operate year-round, specifically designed for the mentioned route, and has a capacity for 700 passengers and 100 cars or possible combinations with nine trucks or cargo trailers.

Oliver Design developed a new concept of habitability, playing with tiered spaces, a central bar in the shape of a waterfall to serve across three levels, and internal communication for service personnel. The designer managed to impart a personalized touch with a decoration made up of large murals featuring Canarian motifs created by the artist Álex Carrascosa.

Weighing 3,715 gross tons and 700 tons deadweight, it measures 78.10 m in overall length –65.50 m in length between perpendiculars–, 15.50 m in beam, 9.80 m in depth, and 3.40 m in maximum draft. Registered in the naval registry of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, it is powered by two Echevarría-Wärtsila engines, totaling 7,000 horsepower over two independent shaft lines, allowing it to maintain a speed of 17 knots. IMO Code 9268411.

Photo: Astilleros Barreras