The ferry Ciudad de Ibiza is set to leave its current operation in the Canary Islands after being sold to Arab Bridge Maritime, a state-owned shipping company jointly owned by Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

The sale was agreed by the vessel's owners and follows the termination of its current charter arrangement with Baleària. Delivery to the new owner is expected before the end of September.

A New Chapter for the Ferry

The Ciudad de Ibiza has been operating under a charter arrangement with Baleària Canarias and has been used mainly for cargo services between the Canary Islands.

Its sale marks the end of a long association with the Armas shipping group and its successors.

The vessel is expected to leave its current service later this month as it begins a new stage under Arab Bridge Maritime.

A Ship With Strong Spanish Connections

The Ciudad de Ibiza has a long history within the Spanish ferry sector.

The vessel arrived in the fleet associated with Trasmediterránea around two decades ago, having previously operated under the name Atalaya de Alcudia.

It was acquired after only a few years of service and subsequently became part of the Armas and Trasmediterránea network.

Despite its name, the vessel has spent recent years operating primarily in the Canary Islands rather than on routes serving Ibiza.

Built for Passengers and Freight

The Ciudad de Ibiza is a roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry measuring approximately 159.7 metres in length and 23.2 metres in beam.

It has capacity for around 219 passengers and more than 1,700 metres of vehicle and cargo lane space.

The configuration makes the ship particularly suitable for routes where freight transport is as important as passenger traffic.

Its recent role in the Canary Islands has therefore focused heavily on cargo movements.

Baleària Charter Comes to an End

The sale follows an agreement between the vessel's owners and Baleària Canarias to end the existing charter.

The ship has been used by Baleària for cargo operations, including services linking Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Its departure comes as Baleària continues to adjust its fleet and operational requirements in the Canary Islands.

For the new owner, the vessel offers additional capacity that can potentially be deployed within its own regional network.

Arab Bridge Maritime Takes Over

Arab Bridge Maritime, known as ABM, is a joint shipping company owned by the governments of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

The company operates maritime services in the Red Sea and surrounding region and provides passenger and vehicle transport as well as other shipping services.

The acquisition of the Ciudad de Ibiza represents a significant change in the vessel's geographic operating context, moving it from the Canary Islands towards the wider Middle Eastern and Red Sea market.

From the Canary Islands to a New Market

The exact future route for the Ciudad de Ibiza has not yet been announced.

Its combination of passenger capacity and substantial vehicle deck space could make it suitable for regional ferry or ro-ro services operated by its new owner.

The ship's final deployment will become clearer once the formal handover has taken place later this month.

An End to the Armas Era

The sale is also symbolic in the context of the restructuring of the former Armas Trasmediterránea fleet.

The Ciudad de Ibiza has spent many years associated with the company and its wider network, but the vessel's ownership and operational future have increasingly been shaped by the changes taking place within the group.

Its move to ABM is another example of an established Spanish ferry leaving the fleet as the company focuses on the next stage of its operations.

What Happens Next

The Ciudad de Ibiza is expected to be delivered to Arab Bridge Maritime before the end of September 2026.

Until the handover is completed, the vessel remains involved in its current Canary Islands operations.

After that, its next destination and service will depend on the plans of its new owner.

For a ferry that began its career under another name and spent years connected to Spain's major shipping groups, the sale marks a significant new chapter.

The Ciudad de Ibiza is leaving the Canary Islands and heading into a new phase under Arab Bridge Maritime.