The ferry Al Andalus Express is returning to the Canary Islands after spending the summer operating in the Balearic Islands, where it was used as a cargo reinforcement on the Palma-Ibiza route.

The vessel is being repositioned by Baleària Canarias and is expected to take over from the Ciudad de Ibiza, which is leaving the company's Canary Islands operation following its sale to another shipping company.

Returning to the Canary Islands

After completing its summer assignment in the Balearic Islands, the Al Andalus Express is being repositioned back to the Canary Islands.

Information published on September 20 stated that the ferry was expected to arrive at the port of Las Palmas at around 21:00 that evening.

The move returns the vessel to the Canary Islands after several months working in the Balearic Islands.

Replacing the Ciudad de Ibiza

The Al Andalus Express is returning as the Ciudad de Ibiza prepares to leave the Baleària Canarias operation.

The Ciudad de Ibiza has been sold to Arab Bridge Maritime, a Jordan-based shipping company, and its charter arrangement with Baleària is being terminated in connection with the sale.

Delivery of the vessel to its new owner is expected before the end of September.

The Ciudad de Ibiza had recently been operating between the two main Canary Island capitals, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, carrying cargo and passengers. Baleària's own route information lists the vessel on that inter-island connection.

Al Andalus Express Spent the Summer in Ibiza

The Al Andalus Express arrived in the Balearics at the beginning of July after leaving Las Palmas.

It was positioned on the Palma-Ibiza route from July 5 as a roll-on/roll-off cargo reinforcement.

The vessel was used for the movement of cargo and was also authorised to transport waste and dangerous goods.

Its summer role was linked to the additional cargo requirements between Mallorca and Ibiza.

Passenger Accommodation on Board

Although the Al Andalus Express is capable of carrying passengers, its summer deployment in the Balearics was principally as a cargo vessel.

The ship has cabins and seating for up to 234 passengers according to maritime industry reporting, while its cargo configuration allows it to carry approximately 90 trailers.

The passenger accommodation therefore does not mean that passengers were routinely travelling on the Palma-Ibiza cargo service.

Built for Flexible Operations

The vessel is a Ro-Pax ship, meaning it combines roll-on/roll-off cargo capability with passenger accommodation.

That flexibility allows it to be used on routes where cargo capacity is a priority while retaining passenger facilities.

The Al Andalus Express carries the IMO number 8512152 and was built in 1988. Maritime industry data lists a length of approximately 160 metres and a gross tonnage of 14,411.

The Canary Islands Cargo Network

Baleària operates several maritime connections within the Canary Islands.

The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Santa Cruz de Tenerife route is a daily service, with the crossing taking approximately one hour and 40 minutes.

The Ciudad de Ibiza has been one of the vessels used on that connection, alongside fast ferries including Mercedes Pinto, Volcán de Taidía and Volcán de Tagoro.

The return of the Al Andalus Express provides Baleària Canarias with another vessel for its cargo operations following the departure of the Ciudad de Ibiza.

A Vessel Familiar to the Balearics

For Ibiza, the Al Andalus Express has become particularly relevant during 2026 because of its summer cargo role.

It was brought to the Balearics in July after a stop at ASTICAN in Las Palmas, where it was repainted in Baleària Canarias branding.

It then began operating between Palma and Ibiza, carrying roll-on cargo and supporting other specialised transport requirements.

Its Role in Waste Transport

The vessel was also selected for use in connection with the pilot project for transporting waste from Ibiza to Mallorca.

The service was designed to allow waste to be moved by sea from Ibiza to the Son Reus waste-treatment complex in Mallorca.

The Al Andalus Express was suitable for that role because it is authorised to carry waste as well as roll-on/roll-off cargo and dangerous goods.

The Ciudad de Ibiza Sale

The departure of the Ciudad de Ibiza is the main reason for the Al Andalus Express's return to the Canary Islands.

The Ciudad de Ibiza was owned by the Armas Mead family and chartered to Baleària.

Following its sale to Arab Bridge Maritime, the charter arrangement with Baleària is being terminated, with Baleària taking responsibility for the affected crew and planning to reassign them within its fleet.

Arab Bridge Maritime

Arab Bridge Maritime, commonly known as ABM, operates passenger and vehicle ferry services from Aqaba in Jordan to destinations in Egypt.

The acquisition of the Ciudad de Ibiza expands its Ro-Pax fleet.

The vessel was built in 2003 and has capacity for around 200 passengers and drivers, as well as approximately 1,600 lane metres of vehicle and cargo space.

Two Different Summer and Winter Roles

The movement of the Al Andalus Express illustrates the way vessels in Baleària's fleet can be repositioned according to seasonal and operational needs.

During the summer, the ferry was needed in the Balearics for additional cargo capacity.

With the summer campaign completed, it is now returning to the Canary Islands, where it is expected to replace the vessel leaving the fleet's current inter-island cargo operation.

Not a Return of a Passenger Route

The Al Andalus Express's return should not be interpreted as the launch of a new passenger ferry route between Ibiza and the Canary Islands.

Its summer deployment in the Balearics was principally focused on cargo, despite the vessel having passenger accommodation.

The current repositioning is likewise an operational fleet move within Baleària Canarias.

What Happens Next

The Al Andalus Express is expected to settle back into the Canary Islands operation following its return from the Balearics.

Meanwhile, the Ciudad de Ibiza is expected to complete its transfer to Arab Bridge Maritime before the end of September.

The change will leave the Al Andalus Express as the replacement vessel for the service previously covered by the Ciudad de Ibiza, subject to Baleària Canarias' final operational arrangements.

From Palma-Ibiza Back to the Canary Islands

The Al Andalus Express spent the 2026 summer helping provide additional cargo capacity between Mallorca and Ibiza.

Now, after completing that assignment, it is returning to Las Palmas as the Ciudad de Ibiza prepares to leave Baleària's Canary Islands operation following its sale.

The vessel's return marks another change in Baleària's fleet deployment between the Balearic and Canary Islands markets.