The Danish shipping group DFDS is preparing to expand its footprint in the Strait of Gibraltar through a key acquisition that will deepen its presence on the busy maritime corridor between Morocco and Spain. Its Spanish subsidiary, DFDS Iberia SLU, is set to take over a portion of Armas Trasmediterránea Group’s operations, acquiring assets that include two vessels, operational staff, docking rights, and associated commercial goodwill.
Under the terms of the deal, DFDS Iberia will gain control of one of the two ships currently running the regular ferry route between Morocco’s Tanger Med port and the Spanish port of Algeciras, along with another vessel operating between the Spanish enclave of Ceuta (Sebta) and Algeciras. These services are presently managed by several companies under the Armas Trasmediterránea umbrella, such as Naviera de Jandía, Compañía Trasmediterránea, and Trasmediterranea Shipping Maroc.
Once finalized, the acquisition will give DFDS Iberia full control over these maritime routes, significantly bolstering its position in cross-Strait transport. Already based in Tarifa, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, DFDS Iberia is active in both passenger and freight transport between Spain and Morocco. This deal signals a strategic deepening of its engagement in the region, allowing for greater operational autonomy and expanded market share in a highly competitive zone.
The parent company, DFDS A/S, headquartered in Copenhagen, operates one of Europe’s most extensive maritime transport networks, offering both ferry services and logistics solutions. While its logistics business is still relatively limited in Morocco, the acquisition suggests DFDS is laying the groundwork for broader ambitions in North Africa.
