On Friday August 31 Fred. Olsen Express has presented its new service proposal for the next month of October. In its constant search for the improvement of services, the shipping company inaugurates a new route that will link Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Arrecife in Lanzarote, providing the island with an unprecedented maritime connection. The new line, which will start operating on Monday, October 15, will have four daily connections between the two capitals.
In addition, the company is still committed to high speed, so the estimated duration of the journey will be only 3 hours and 30 minutes. Likewise, the passenger market and its needs in the planning of the line have been taken into account, so the schedules will be adapted to offer the best service to passengers and cargo:
Daily departures from Arrecife at 05:30 and at 4:00 p.m. On Sundays, taking into account the needs of travel on weekends, will have an exit at 2:00 pm.
Daily departures from Las Palmas at 10:30 and at 9:00 p.m. On Sundays, a trip at 6:30 p.m.
Based on the reorganization of some lines, schedules already set, as well as the seasonality of the different routes, during the month of November and on specific days of December, a single rotation will be made with a stopover in the neighboring port of Morro Jable. However, facing the bridge of December and Christmas, double direct rotations will be maintained, this schedule will be final as of Monday, January 28, 2019, at which time the Company will operate the Eastern Islands with two high-speed vessels. .
In parallel, the appropriate works are being carried out to prepare the port facilities, aimed at having a passenger terminal in the port of Los Mármoles in Arrecife, a passenger terminal completely renovated in the Port of Las Palmas, as well as three ramps in land in both ports, which will allow replicating the operations of the other ports in which the company effectively operates.
On the other hand, the arrival of Betancuria Express is an important reinforcement on the Las Palmas – Morro Jable route. The ship of 115 m. of length, built in the Australian shipyards of Austal in 2011, is currently positioned as the world’s largest active high-speed catamaran. Initially designed to meet the demanding requirements of the Baltic Sea, it has a design focused on avoiding sways in adverse conditions, which together with its operating speed of 38 knots, guarantees maximum comfort for passengers.
The ship has been delivered to the shipping company this week and since September 1, the conditioning work for the Betancuria Express set-up begins, which includes both the exhaustive revision of the ship’s structural, electrical and mechanical systems, as well as modifications in the garage area and in the interior passenger areas. After reconditioning, the ship will have two decks for more than 350 cars and two passenger decks with a capacity of 1,600 passengers, with new more comfortable seats, entertainment areas and shopping facilities.
For its part, the Gold Class will feature a spectacular aft terrace that will offer 180 degree views so that passengers enjoy the beautiful scenery of our coasts. In addition to the usual priority shipping and catering services on board, the new equipment includes high-end executive class seats for maximum comfort.
The design of the Betancuria Express will provide a high standard travel solution for both passengers and crew. As usual, the shipping company is committed to a service based on excellence, with a vocation for permanence and therefore consolidation of these rout
