Photo: Mike Louagie
Balearia have finalized the sailing schedule for their new services from Melilla
Ferry Motril is dropped in favor of Malaga, as one of the two destinations served from Melilla, with Almeria remaining as the other.
As a result, Balearia will now compete directly with Trasmediterranea on both their services to Melilla from the mainland, with Armas providing competition from Motril (and a weekly sailing from Almeria). One assumes this is a build up to bid for the Public Services contract to Melilla which is currently held by Trasmediterranea, and which is up for renewal in spring 2017.
Sailings from Melilla to Malaga will be on a daily basis (except Saturdays), with departures at 12.30 (07.00 on Wednesdays), arriving 5 hours later. The return sailing from Malaga will be at 19.00, arriving at 23.59 in Melilla.
Sailings to Almeria will depart at 00.59, (except Wednesdays) arriving in Almeria 4 hours later at 05.00, with the return sailing from Almeria scheduled for 07.10 (13.30 on Saturdays), arriving back in Melilla at 11.10 (17.30 on Saturdays).
As stated in earlier reports, the vessel to be used on these services is the chartered-in NISSOS CHIOS.
The sailing schedule to both Almeria and Malaga is geared towards the Melila resident, allowing more time on the mainland. The 07.10 sailing from Almeria will be the first sailing of the day to the North African coast, and could scoop up most of the Nador-bound passengers. The 00.59 sailing from Melilla will also offer an overnight crossing to Almeria for the first time, which could be very popular.
It will also be interesting to see how the freight side develops, as the schedules are basically the opposite to what Malaga and Almeria have traditionally offered to Melilla bound customers. If the freight rates are competitive, an interesting battle may take place.
Balearia announced that services will start on December 19.
© Shippax / Mike Barker
Nov 30 2016