Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Buenavista-Express

The ferry ''Buenavista Express'' encountered issues with its tail shaft on January 2, 2026. After undergoing repairs at the Navantia Fene dry dock, the vessel set sail towards the Ferrol estuary on the night of January 5. Following successful sea trials, the ''Buenavista Express'' is now en route to Las Palmas, with an estimated arrival time of early dawn on January 8. For detailed coverage, visit the full report with accompanying photo: https://www.puentedemando.com/el-ferry-buenavista-express-supera-las-pruebas-de-mar-y-navega-rumbo-a-las-palmas/

Following the acquisition of the Armas Trasmediterránea Group, significant concerns have surfaced regarding the maintenance of the vessel previously known as 'Fortuny', now rebranded as the 'Buenavista Express'. As a result, its anticipated departure from Navantia Fene, originally set for December 18, has been postponed until at least December 25, pending the resolution of various deficiencies. The refurbishment budget for the Buenavista Express has also ballooned, with Fred. Olsen Express estimating costs that will exceed ten million euros as they work on the vessel's modernization and reorganization. Despite these challenges, Fred. Olsen Express remains committed to introducing the ship to the Huelva-Canary Islands route, even as the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) continues to deliberate on Balearia's acquisition of the remaining assets from the Armas Trasmediterránea Group.

On September 29, 2025, Fred. Olsen Express officially became the new owner of the ferry previously known as 'Fortuny.' This vessel was initially sold by Armas Trasmediterránea to Liberty Lines in July, who swiftly resold it to Fred. Olsen Express. As part of the ownership transition, the ferry has been renamed 'Buenavista Express.' The ferry is set to undergo essential docking, which will include various technical maintenance tasks and a transformation to feature Fred. Olsen Express's unique livery. Following these updates, the Buenavista Express is scheduled to serve the Huelva-Tenerife/Gran Canaria route in January. The specifics of this deployment will depend on whether the CNMC (the Spanish competition authorities) approve Baleària's acquisition of Grupo Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea. After leaving Almeria on September 30, the ferry successfully arrived in Las Palmas by October 3.