Spain’s National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) has conditioned DFDS’ purchase of Armas Trasmediterránea assets on transferring the elements needed to continue Armas’ Algeciras–Ceuta ferry service to another operator.
The authority announced the requirement following its July 29 approval of the purchase in a second-phase merger review. The proposed purchase also covered assets linked to Algeciras–Tanger Med, but the transfer condition concerns the Ceuta route.
The CNMC said at least one potential operator was interested in taking over the elements needed to maintain Armas’ Ceuta service. It said the transfer would preserve competitive pressure on the route and reduce the risk of coordinated behaviour between operators.
In January, the CNMC opened a deeper review after finding that the purchase could reduce the number of Algeciras–Ceuta operators from three to two, leaving DFDS and Baleària. It also identified Armas as a possible contender in future public-service-obligation contract bids on the route.
DFDS proposed reporting prices on affected routes every six months and providing updates on the Ceuta service’s economic performance. Its proposals also covered service quality, keeping Armas’ service frequency unchanged when demand was high, vessel improvements and environmental measures.
Most of the proposed commitments would have applied for five years. The frequency pledge was initially for 12 months, subject to reassessment. “The commitments submitted by DFDS were insufficient to resolve the competition problems on the route to Ceuta,” the CNMC said.
DFDS announced its DKK240 million ($36.4 million) agreement with Armas in August 2025, saying the purchase would increase its share of freight-ferry capacity on Algeciras–Tanger Med. Baleària was acquiring other Armas assets as part of the wider sale.
Under the proposed deal, DFDS would acquire route permits and around 200 employees, as well as the 2004-built Ro-Pax ferry Volcán de Tamasite and the 1999-built high-speed catamaran Villa de Agaete. DFDS noted that both vessels were already in service on its Algeciras–Tanger Med and Algeciras–Ceuta routes.
