The New Image of the Spanish Ferry “Marhaba Seaways”

This is the first image of the Spanish-flagged ferry “Marhaba Seaways”, after its departure from Cernaval, where it has been repainted with the corporate image of the Danish multinational DFDS. As previously reported by puentedemando.com, in the negotiations for the purchase of the assets of the Armas Trasmediterránea Group in the Strait, there is an agreement to maintain Spanish flag and crew for two years.

Since taking possession of the aforementioned vessel, DFDS acted with notable speed in changing the name while docked at the port of Algeciras, where it will remain until next November, when it will be relaunched in its new phase.

DFDS has preferred to give a nod to Morocco. Marhaba, in Arabic, means “welcome” and is also the name used in the same language for Operation Marhaba or Operation Crossing of the Strait, OPE.

At its debut in July 2004 on the Las Palmas-Morro Jable route, the ferry “Volcán de Tamasite” inaugurated a new phase in which it demonstrated its suitability from the start. It has a capacity for 1,466 passengers —lacking cabins for overnight trips— and a garage for 1,220 linear meters of rolling cargo and 395 cars.

Despite the difficulties of recent years, now overcome, the extraordinary dedication of its crews has made it a high-performing vessel, particularly notable for its role on the Strait and Alboran routes, especially during the OPE.

Construction number 1,625 from Astilleros Barreras, launched on March 8, 2004, and delivered on June 28 of the same year —captain, Carlos Fumero Benítez-Dávila—, in addition to being the then-star line of Morro Jable, has on several occasions covered Alboran routes and returning to the islands, on April 21, 2017, it was involved in a serious incident, colliding bow-first against the dock of La Esfinge, in the port of Las Palmas, due to a “blackout” in the electrical panel. At that time, there was much luck, as the collision bulkhead withstood the impact and prevented greater damage.

Weighing 17,343 gross tons and 2,900 tons deadweight, it measures 142.25 m in length, 24.20 m in beam, and 5.70 m in maximum draft. It is powered by two Wärtsilä 8L46C engines, totaling 16,800 kW over two shafts and maintains a speed of 21 knots. IMO 9281322.

Photo: Jesús González Bustio