"These figures show the solidity and solvency of our business model," stressed the president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor, who also highlighted as a hallmark "the trust capital accumulated by the company." The result for the year was EUR 25 million (36% less) due to "the increase in amortizations and financial expenses that occur when taking on more debt, the evolution of interest rates and the high cost of environmental regulations." In a context of growth and expansion of the shipping company, Utor stressed that "investments have tripled, exceeding EUR 300 million, mainly in new ships and in improving the efficiency of the fleet." The president of Baleària has also announced the appointment of Guillermo Utor as the new director and vice president of the shipping company.  

Baleària operated 28 routes in five countries with a fleet of around 40 ships, most of which were owned by Baleària. By business area, passenger transport represents 61% of turnover and freight transport 35%; while, in turnover by area, national routes continue to represent 75%.   

Passenger traffic 

In 2024, Baleària transported 5.6 million passengers and 1.5 million vehicles, with growth of 8% and 10% respectively. Almost half of the customers travelled on routes with the Balearic Islands. “We are the only shipping company that offers a comprehensive service to the entire archipelago, with direct routes throughout the year,” Utor stressed. The connections with Ceuta were consolidated as the shipping company's second destination thanks to a high volume of passengers, while the Melilla-Málaga route (for which Baleària has been awarded the contract for a public interest line) is the one that has registered the greatest growth in passenger traffic.  

On the other hand, Morocco, with 18% of the clients, leads the international routes, which represent 22% of the total traffic of the shipping company. "A country that will be strengthened with the future Tarifa-Tangier Ville line, where we will launch the first green corridor between Europe and Africa," stressed Utor. Likewise, the president of the shipping company has highlighted the opening of the three new routes with Algeria, "a strategic market, which obtained very good results this summer." 

Freight traffic 

Regarding cargo, with 7.6 million lane metres of cargo and a 3% growth, Utor has highlighted that Baleària "plays a crucial role in ensuring the transport of goods, thanks to its reliability, punctuality and adaptation to the logistical demands of customers." 60% of the cargo has been moved on routes with the Balearic Islands, which "in a very competitive context has maintained figures similar to the previous year," explained the president of the shipping company. Morocco is increasingly important in Baleària's freight traffic (it accounts for 30% of the total) and is established "as a clear axis of development for the future." 

Reducing the carbon footprint 

“We have sailed 1.8 million miles, which is an increase of 1.4%. And yet, we have reached a very important milestone: for the first time we have reduced total CO2 emissions, without taking into account the year in which the pandemic forced us to drastically reduce activity,” Utor stressed. Thus, the shipping company has emitted 15,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 (2% less) and has reduced emissions per mile sailed by -3.3% and emissions per passenger by 9.5%. “The reduction of our carbon footprint has been possible thanks to more efficient ship operations and a 184% increase in the use of natural gas.” Utor pointed out that Baleària is continuously working on the use of alternative energies: “This week we carried out a bio-LNG supply test on our two newest ships, the fast ferry MARGARITA SALAS and the ferry RUSADIR, a fuel that we plan to increase this year.” 

A EUR 1 billion investment in a sustainable fleet 

Adolfo Utor has highlighted the company's investment of EUR 1 billion in a more sustainable fleet between 2017 and 2028: "Ships that combine the best service with the lowest environmental impact, in accordance with Baleària's commitment to the planet and also with environmental regulations." "The regulations have already had an impact of EUR 9 million on our profit and loss account, and we estimate that next year it will be EUR 26 million," explained Utor.  

Future challenges: new constructions and international expansion 

The third latest-generation catamaran with dual gas engines is being built at the Armon shipyards, which will be launched in the last quarter of this year, as well as two other smaller fast ferries with electric propulsion and zero emissions. These electric ferries will be destined for the new Tarifa-Tangier Ville route. Utor also explained that international expansion also involves continuing to grow in Algeria and opening the route between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. 

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