Buenavista-Express

Problems afflicted a tail shaft of the “Buenavista Express” on Jan 2, 2026. It left the Navantia Fene dry dock and sailed towards the Ferrol estuary after repairs on the night of Jan 5. After carrying out sea tests with satisfactory results, it was sailing towards the port of Las Palmas, where it was expedted to arrive on Jan 8 at dawn. Report with photo: https://www.puentedemando.com/el-ferry-buenavista-express-supera-las-pruebas-de-mar-y-navega-rumbo-a-las-palmas/

After the Armas Trasmediterránea Group takeover, problems were emerging due to the poor state of maintenance of the "Fortuny," now the "Buenavista Express." Consequently, the initial departure date of Dec 18 from Navantia Fene has been postponed until at least after Dec 25, provided that several deficiencies have been resolved by then. This also entails an increase in the budget that Fred. Olsen Express has allocated for the refurbishment and reorganisation of this vessel, which will far exceed ten million euros. Nevertheless, Fred. Olsen Express maintained its plan to incorporate the vessel into the Huelva-Canary Islands route, even though the CNMC's decision regarding Balearia's purchase of the remaining assets of the Armas Trasmediterránea Group will not yet be finalised by then.

On Sep 29, 2025, Fred. Olsen Express formally took ownership of the 'Fortuny'. The ship was sold by Armas Trasmediterránea to Liberty Lines in July, who immediately resold her to Fred. Olsen Express. The ferry was simultaneously with the formal change of owner renamed ' Buenavista Express' and will now undergo a docking that, in addition to a number of technical maintenance tasks, will include a change to Fred. Olsen Express’s livery. The vessel is expected to be deployed on Fred. Olsen Express’s Huelva-Tenerife/Gran Canaria route during January. If this will be in partnership with Baleària, or as Fred. Olsen Express, depends on if CNMC (the Spanish competition authorities) then has approved Baleària’s acquisition of Grupo Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea. The ferry sailed from Almeria on Sep 30 and berthed in Las Palmas on Oct 3.