The Ibiza and Formentera Insotel Marine Group (IMG), with presence in all the islands and to which Trasmapi shipping companies belong, Formentera Lines, Formentera Cargo y Menorca Lines has reached a strategic agreement with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), “the world’s largest shipping groupfor the analysis and joint development of various passenger routes and fleet expansion, mainly of fast vessels, with the aim of enriching the offer of fast ferry services in Spain, through its boutique proposal of maximum local focus in the communities where it operates”.
According to a press release, the agreement was closed “a few months ago at MSC’s headquarters in Geneva”, and consists of “the implementation of a shipping alliance with a focus on improving the current proposal of fast ferry for the Spanish market“.
“In this long-term development, it is planned to carry out several milestones set in the framework of the agreement between MSC and IMG that includes the development of new lines planned in the Strait of Gibraltar”, such as those linking “Ceuta and Algeciras, under the brand Ceuta Lines, and Tarifa and Tangier, with the necessary resources for a more efficient operation”. All this, they clarify, if Tarifa Lines “finally awarded the tender, currently under evaluation and decision by the Port Authority”.
“The new phases of this alliance between MSC and IMG will continue to be made public in the coming months. Both of the new routes that will be undertaken jointly within this business agreement, as well as of the new routes that will be undertaken jointly within this business agreement route reinforcements that both groups already operate in Spain”.
A shipping company with offices in 155 countries
MSC details on its website that it currently has a workforce of 200.000 employees and a total of 850 ships for the transport of all types of goods, mainly containerized. It maintains 675 local offices in 155 countries, which, they note, “enables them to facilitate international trade between the world’s major economies and between emerging markets on all continents.”
As for IMG, it is the “maritime division” of the Insotel Group, of which the Balearic shipping company Trasmapi is a part. “With 50 years of operation between the Pitiusas”, from this company they explain that it is “leader in its segment, giving service every year to more than one million passengers on its main route between the ports of Eivissa and Formentera“.
Last 2022, IMG opened a new maritime route, between Mallorca and Menorca, under the brand Menorca Lines. “With a local boutique proposal, high speed for passengers and vehicles”, IMG emphasizes that “it is now present in the four Balearic Islands”.
IMG “participates in the operation of the marinas Marina Ibiza, Marina Port Ibiza, Marina Palma, Marina Port Mahón and now also in Marina Valencia”. It also manages among other nautical related businesses the Varadero Ibiza.
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