VOLCAN DE TAMASITE © Frank Lose

CNMC approves DFDS acquisition of Armas activities in the Strait of Gibraltar

FinanceThe Spanish competition authority, CNMC, has approved DFDS’ acquisition of Naviera Armas’ assets in the Strait of Gibraltar. DFDS announced the acquisition in August 2025, but completion of the transaction had since been awaiting final approval from CNMC, which was granted on 29 July this year.

The acquisition includes two vessels and their approximately 200 crew members, as well as the existing route permits issued by the authorities on both sides of the strait for the Algeciras–Tanger Med and Algeciras–Ceuta routes.

In a stock exchange announcement in August 2025, DFDS stated that the purchase price was DKK 240 million. At the time, the Danish shipping company expected the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2026, but this did not happen until the third quarter of the year.

The vessels included in the acquisition are the 2004-built RoPax VOLCAN DE TAMASITE and the 1999-built, 96-metre Incat catamaran VILLA DE AGAETE.

DFDS has already been present in the Strait of Gibraltar since acquiring FRS Iberia in 2023.

CNMC’s approval of the DFDS transaction on 29 July marks the third and final stage in the sale and break-up of Armas Trasmediterránea’s activities.

In May this year, Baleària’s acquisition of Armas Trasmediterránea’s Canary Islands activities was approved. This was followed in early July by approval of Baleària’s acquisition of Armas Trasmediterránea’s activities in the Alboran Sea, as well as those parts of its operations in the Strait of Gibraltar not included in the DFDS acquisition.

aug 06 2026