Trasmed-Grimaldi has come to the Balearic Islands to stay

Are you satisfied with the operation to purchase the maritime business and the ships of Armas Trasmediterránea to operate the lines between the Balearic Islands and the Peninsula? What is your assessment of the operation, after just over half a year?

I am very satisfied. In general, we are very happy with the operation. The first six months have been very intense because we have had to reorganize the fleet, the ports, but in a short time we have managed to close the year with good results.

Is the Grimaldi Group willing to remain operating these vital routes for the economy of the Balearic Islands for a long time or is it temporary?

No. Quite the opposite. We have arrived in the Balearic Islands to stay forever. We have not entered the market to be like others, who have come with a ship. We have invested hundreds of millions of euros to buy Trasmediterránea's market share. It is a very long-term investment.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected Trasmed's business plans?

When we entered, we already knew that we were in this delicate situation and we have managed to solve practical problems such as the issue of crews, which we have had to change in minutes so as not to stop the boats and guarantee the lines, but we are optimistic. I think next summer will be a good summer.

What are the prospects for the coming years?

We want to continue improving and adapting the fleet to the market as we are already doing. We are carrying out a tremendous investment and effort to offer the best quality on our ships and the best services on board. At the end of January the Ciudad de Mahón left, to be replaced by the new Ciudad de Alcudia, which will have the Spanish flag and will work on the Valencia-Palma line. We want to continue improving the service, adapting the fleet to the market, with the security and peace of mind of having such a large group behind us, such as the Grimaldi Group.

Is health safety on board Trasmed vessels guaranteed?

Absolutely. One hundred percent. We have very strict security protocols for crew members and passengers, which are working. Sailing by boat is the safest way to travel, due to the enormous spaces that boats have.

Grimaldi Lines travels to Italy from Barcelona. Is Italy still a tourist destination to discover for the islanders?

Now, with the possibility of having a connection with the Balearic Islands via Barcelona to Italy and especially with Sardinia -which is an important site- and Rome, even more important, is a market that is going to speed up a lot.

What do you think of the idea of ​​regulating the arrival of tourist cruises at the Port of Palma?

This is essential. We carry merchandise every day to the islands. Having to wait an hour or an hour and a half outside the port for a large cruise ship, which is in no rush to access the port, to come in is pretty ridiculous. It is a serious problem that will have to be deepened.

Are there projects to grow?

The Grimaldi Group has shown that it grows every year, whether it is buying companies or buying boats. Right now we have 15 ships under construction and we are negotiating the purchase of ports in Greece. Where there are business opportunities, there we are.

Will there be new additions to the Trasmed fleet? Are any of those ships under construction for Trasmed?

No. There are 15 huge roll-on cargo ships that will not enter directly into the Trasmed fleet but will take advantage of synergies, as has happened this summer, when the need has arisen, we have emptied the dock of the cargo that was there to take to the peninsula.

What is the difference between those who want to travel by boat and those who choose to travel by plane?

Today the prices of the plane make it very attractive, but we are going to launch campaigns to take advantage of the advantage we have, which is to travel with your vehicle, pet, suitcases, dinner, etc. We have done a test in November, where we gave away this type of service that, logically, you cannot take on the plane, and it has gone very well.

Have you also incorporated improvements for traveling with pets?

Yes. We have received the Naviera Pet Friendly certification from the Foundation for Advice and Action in Defense of Animals (FAADA). To this end, we have implemented different measures and improvements such as the Pet Cabins, which means that each ship has cabins where passengers can travel with up to two dogs or cats, and the Pet Seat, which contemplates that pets weighing less than eight kilos can travel in the seats and in a carrier.

We also deliver a pet-kit in which the passenger has biodegradable hygienic bags, an oilcloth tablecloth/blanket, and containers for food and water. In addition, upon request, the passenger can have a bed for their pet and a tray with sand and a shovel (for cats).

We have doubled the number of security video cameras in all the booths of the shipping company's premises, so that the passenger can connect with their smartphone and control their pet throughout the journey. And the kennels for dogs and cats are separated so that the latter do not suffer the stress that being with dogs causes them.

Have ships, in general, adapted to the new times we are living in with less pollution and preservation of the environment? And the Trasmed fleet?

Yes, without a doubt, a lot has been done and much more can still be done. At Grimaldi, in the technical office in Naples, we have a department with 20 engineers who are dedicated to studying, solely, how we can reduce emissions. And the proof is in the new ships that are coming out, which are ships that consume less, carrying double the capacity. Consumption and emissions per truck are reduced to half of what they were two years ago. And of course we continue to investigate and analyze where there are new possibilities for improvement.

Is sustainability important to Trasmed?

It is the flag of the Grimaldi Group and, of course, of Trasmed. We have a firm commitment to innovation and respect for the environment, with the aim of further reducing emissions of polluting gases and increasing energy savings.

An example of this are the ECO roll-on cargo ships. Twelve hybrid units of the new Grimaldi class, fifth generation ships built by the Chinese shipyard Jinling which, thanks to their unique design, are the largest in the world for short sea shipping and also the most ecological.

These vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art electronically controlled engines and consume fossil fuel during navigation and electricity during port calls, guaranteeing 'Zero Emission in Port®'.

Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. All the latest news on Mallorca at mallorcadiario.com.