Trasmediterránea is not for sale

“Trasmediterránea is not for sale.” This is how clear and emphatic Mario Quero Gil, the company’s general director, expresses himself in an exclusive interview where he acknowledges that “a sales process generates a lot of uncertainty, especially among the workers, because they do not know who might buy the company and what plans they have.” He added that “I believe we managed to give a sense of opportunity, because we were able, in that long process, to see what inefficiencies we had, what detracted from its value in terms of market valuation, and to improve our inefficiencies.”

The uncertainty of the process, immersed in an intense media campaign, gave way to opportunity, as Mario Quero Gil acknowledges, “that, in turn, generated confidence, so that the workers saw that the company could generate profitability on its own, as there was an adequate restructuring of its costs, and that helped us position ourselves with greater strength in the market.”

Hence, “when the shareholder decided that Trasmediterránea was not for sale, it greatly improved the work environment and regarding clients, as they have always trusted Trasmediterránea as a brand and as a solid shipping company. In other words, there has been no loss of clients to the competition. In any case, this process has allowed us to improve, and we have emerged strengthened. The shareholder has a clear commitment to the company, and we will continue like this,” adds the general director of the shipping company that will celebrate its first centenary at the end of this year.

What is the current scenario in which the company operates?

“We are in a scenario that has good prospects, in which we are committed to recovering the position we previously had and that, for a series of reasons in a crisis scenario, we have been losing. We are driven by the determination to put Trasmediterránea back where it belongs.”

What direction is Trasmediterránea's strategy heading?

“The company has a strategy based on maintaining its penetration in the current market, seeking complements to the routes it currently develops through market consolidation, and being attentive to certain opportunities that may arise not only in the current scope but in others, although everything must come with a solid understanding of the market and the expectation of profitability, both for us as a company and for the shareholder.”

Trasmediterránea maintains a mixed fleet model

Necessary fleet

Are there plans for a new fleet?

“Every reputable shipping company must have plans for a new fleet, because otherwise its business weakens over time, and we are no exception. We cannot rely on the freight market, which generates a lot of uncertainty. Of course, we are thinking about fleet renewal, especially on those solid routes, where there is no risk given the company’s strength, although at this moment I cannot go into more details.”

Can we advance new constructions or the acquisition of second-hand ships?

“Unfortunately no, because we live in a very competitive environment, and any comment about possible acquisitions or new constructions generates movements in the market that we do not like. A strategy of maximum confidentiality is necessary.”

In the current situation of the company, will the chartering of foreign ships be maintained?

“Yes, it must be maintained, as we are not going to remove routes. All companies must have a rational mix of owned fleet and chartered fleet, in accordance with the scenario in which they operate. This has to do with how the new construction market is, how the second-hand market is, how the chartering market is. All of this is a mix that must allow the company to be directed towards where the business and profitability lie.”

Maritime scenarios

What is your assessment of Trasmediterránea's presence in the Canary Islands?

“We now have a stable presence. This makes sense from a business perspective, if your strategy is to maintain the profitability of your business. In inter-island traffic, you need a certain network and structural support that in good times could be justified, but in bad times it is very costly. We are not going to provide inter-island service as it is well served by the existing companies, and we do not have a strategy to penetrate that market further.

We are looking at container traffic not only from Cádiz but also from the Spanish Levante, and if there is any opportunity, we will be there. My assessment of the service is very good with the roll-on/roll-off ships, especially for the banana transport, which perfectly combines with the service we have been providing since 2013 through Servilla, and I believe that customers are very satisfied.”

The dedication of two of the company’s best ships to the Melilla route and the price at which the contract has been signed, is it a good investment for Trasmediterránea?

“Yes. The company has a pillar in that façade. Depending on your fleet situation, you can access or not to that type of contracts, and in this case, we have two good ships, which are ideal for providing good service and meeting the demand of residents in Melilla and other users on the route. It was a very opportune moment to invest, and that is what we have done.”

In the Balearic market, which is another flagship of the company, will the current approach be maintained?

“We are constantly thinking about having a strategy for greater penetration in markets where we are already present. And since we have ships to do so, we will do it. We need to think about improving the fleet, our customer service structure, and being a clear reference in the sector.”

Photos: Trasmediterránea