The vessel allows a five-hour crossing as opposed to the six posted by Trasmediterranea. The VOLCAN DE TAMASITE has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 3,000 lane metres for freight. Unfortunately, it has no cabins - something that families will note during the peak summer crossings.

The service provided from Almeria has been tagged on to that provided from Motril. The same ferry will operate the rest of the week between Motril and Al Hoceima, and also Motril to Nador. In July, the ferry will perform more crossings between Almeria and Nador, although, surprisingly, no weekend sailings have been posted from Almeria - traditionally the busiest days.

This new service will provide competition to Trasmediterranea, who have had a monopoly on this route since the Moroccan Group COMARIT (incorporating COMARIT, COMANAV and previously, Limadet) folded in January 2012. Trasmediterranea have quickly changed their schedule to compete head on with ARMAS. Trasmediterranea will use the new acquired 1981 built ferry ALMARIYA on this route, backed up by the 1993 built LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA, offering two sailings a day, with a third sailing possible on the busiest days.

ARMAS had only very recently invaded Trasmediterranea's Almeria - Melilla monopoly, which goes back ...for ever. On May 27 of this year, ARMAS had inaugurated a weekly service linking Almeria with Melilla, the Spanish enclave next door to Nador, using the excellent VOLCAN DE TINAMAR.

Because Nador is in Morocco, and Melilla in Spain, the routes receive very different treatment. The service to Melilla is considered to be of Public interest, and a public service contract is regularly issued. This is currently held by Trasmediterranea, who therefore, are subsidised to operate this route. ARMAS, who also operate to Melilla from Motril, do not receive such subsidy, but have won a substantial share of the market by offering cheaper fares and faster crossings, with very modern tonnage.

This summer promises to be of substantial interest to see how it plays out, especially as it is known that the new Moroccan line, Africa Morocco Link is poised to enter the Nador - Almeria soon, and with Italian and Spanish giants GNV and Balearia awaiting authorisation.