The ALBAYZIN will dry-dock in early January, and will be replaced on the Cadiz - Canary Island route by the FORZA during that period. The FORZA, in turn, will be covered by the ZURBARAN on the Valencia - Palma route.

The SNAV ADRIATICO will replace the ZURBARAN on the Barcelona - Ibiza route. The LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA, which only recently started the route between Alcudia and Ciutadella, will vacate that route on January 8 to operate between Barcelona and Mahon.

Interestingly, the route between Alcudia and Ciutadella will be covered by the fast ferry ALCANTARA DOS, with a sailing schedule posted until April 6, which means the LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA will not be returning to that route any time soon. Perhaps the competition from Balearia was too intense. It remains to be seen where the LAS PALMAS de GRAN CANARIA will operate next - back to Almeria or perhaps out of Valencia.

In other news related to the Alcudia - Ciutadella route, the NURA NOVA, the 1977-built ferry operated until recently by ISCOMAR, will be auctioned off on November 16. This Japanese built ferry, with a capacity for 377 passengers and 86 cars, is currently docked in the port of Gandia (Valencia), having been refused entry into Tarragona.

© Shippax / Mike Barker