Ciudad-De-Valencia Vessel Reviews and Specifications

Recent incidents involving the ferry 'Ciudad de Valencia' have led to significant disruptions over the weekend of April 4-5, primarily due to issues with its lifesaving equipment. While the vessel was able to make its scheduled journey to Cádiz carrying only roll-on/roll-off cargo, it was deemed unsafe for passenger transport, prompting emergency measures. To accommodate affected travelers, the ferry 'Volcán de Tamadaba' was dispatched on an extraordinary voyage specifically for those booked on the 'Ciudad de Valencia.' Meanwhile, the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Arrecife de Lanzarote route was maintained by the ferry 'Ciudad de Ibiza.' The 'Ciudad de Valencia' completed its trip from Santa Cruz de La Palma on April 3, navigating along the scenic southwest coast of Tenerife before anchoring in Las Palmas at midnight. The 'Volcán de Tamadaba,' having already received orders to depart, arrived in Santa Cruz de Tenerife at 10:15 p.m. on the same day to pick up the stranded passengers. On April 4, the 'Volcán de Tamadaba' successfully undertook the route originally assigned to the 'Ciudad de Valencia,' with strategic stops in Puerto del Rosario and Arrecife, Lanzarote, before finally reaching Cádiz by April 6. Looking ahead, the 'Ciudad de Valencia' is scheduled to suspend its operations on the Cádiz-Canary Islands route by September, after which it will transition to a freight service for DFDS in Northern Europe. Balearia, operating the ferry service, has indicated plans to replace the 'Ciudad de Valencia' with a more reliable vessel, potentially choosing between the 'Hypatia de Alejandría' or 'Marie Curie' as replacements, as they re-evaluate their fleet structure.

On April 1, 2026, DFDS announced a strategic partnership to charter the 'Ciudad de Valencia' from Transmediterranea, aimed at bolstering operations on the Karlshamn-Klaipeda route. This vessel will take the place of the current 'Optima Seaways' as of September, marking a significant upgrade in capacity. The 'Ciudad de Valencia' is poised to nearly triple passenger numbers while also expanding freight capabilities. This enhancement promises to improve service reliability and supports DFDS’s growth ambitions in the Baltic Sea area, catering to an evolving customer base.

On December 25, the 'Ciudad de Valencia' experienced technical difficulties while docked at the port of Las Palmas, coinciding with scheduled cargo operations at 2:00 PM in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. As a result, passengers headed to Santa Cruz de Tenerife were rerouted to the Grupo Armas Trasmediterránea ferry. Meanwhile, those traveling towards La Palma departed later in the day from Los Cristianos aboard the catamaran ferry 'Volcán de Tirajana,' ensuring continued service despite the interruption.

On the night of October 15, 2025, the Ciudad de Valencia, a ferry chartered by Grupo Armas Trasmediterránea for the Cádiz-Canarias route, encountered significant delays when one of its engines failed en route to Las Palmas. The vessel, which has faced recurring technical issues since its launch five years ago due to its experimental engines, required assistance from the tugboat 'VB Tamarán' (IMO: 9361304) to safely dock in the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria around 8 a.m. UTC. After docking, technicians promptly began work to resolve the ongoing engine problem. This mechanical failure has not only disrupted the ferry’s current journey but also affected its subsequent itinerary, including planned stops in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Santa Cruz de La Palma. However, if repairs can be completed swiftly, the Ciudad de Valencia may resume its operations on schedule by shortening its stop in Santa Cruz de La Palma on October 17, contingent upon a smooth loading process for refrigerated banana units.