- The shipping company gathered together more than 400 of its stakeholders at its stand at Fitur to commemorate its quarter of a century of activity in maritime transport
- The company unveiled a series of cultural and corporate activities for the coming year, to be held in the regions where it operates.
- Over the course of its history, Baleària has transported 55 million passengers, 13 million vehicles and 80 million linear metres of cargo
Last Thursday at Fitur, Baleària kicked off the campaign to celebrate its 25 years of history and activity in the maritime passenger and freight transport sector. The company brought together more than 400 public and private stakeholders at a commemorative event in which it reviewed its journey from its creation in 1998 to its current position as the leading company in maritime passenger transport in Spain. In 2023, the company will be celebrating its 25-year anniversary, as well as its position as the leading shipping company in terms of sustainability and innovation, with a fleet of more than 30 ships and a presence in six countries: Spain, Morocco, Algeria, France, the United States and the Bahamas. Since it commenced operations, Baleària has transported 55 million passengers, 13 million vehicles and 80 million linear metres of cargo.
The journalist Marta González Novo hosted a meeting explaining the history of the company through various videos and an interview with the president and sole shareholder, Adolfo Utor, who, 25 years ago, together with a group of workers from the now defunct Flebasa shipping company, spearheaded the creation of the Dénia-based company.
Utor explained that the creation of Baleària was “an act of pure survival, with the aim of safeguarding the business, jobs and social and commercial interests”. Over time, the shipping company “established its transcendent purpose, shared by the entire organisation”, which in the words of its President consists of “building new ships, launching new shipping lines and improving transport services to aid in the development and progress of the regions”.
The founder of Baleària also explained the keys to the company’s success: “The adversities we faced in the early days fostered a company culture where austerity, commitment and teamwork took root. Furthermore, we have never diversified our activity and we have reinvested more than 90% of our results to facilitate our growth.” However, in Utor’s view, the key element has been trust: “When we started, the only thing we had was the confidence of our stakeholders, a trust that we have worked on every day, which nurtures our image and reputation, and which today is our main asset.”
Likewise, the chairman stressed that, in terms of the future, “It is not enough to be Spain’s leading shipping company”, as it aspires to become “a global shipping company, with a locally-oriented business model”. “We want to be a world benchmark in sustainability and customer service, as a shipping company whose work contributes to achieving the SDGs”, he stressed.
At this inaugural event to celebrate its 25 years of activity, Baleària was accompanied by numerous stakeholder representatives, from travel agencies, suppliers, port authorities, financial institutions and the shipping industry, as well as the public authorities. Among those in attendance were the Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant; the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig; the Minister of Mobility and Housing of the Balearic Government, José Marí Ribas; the Director General of the Merchant Navy, Benito Nuñez; the President of the Consell de Mallorca, Catalina Cladera; the President of the Consell d’Eivissa, Vicent Marí; the President of the Consell de Formentera, Ana Juan; the President of the Diputación de Alicante, Carlos Mazón; Senator in the Congreso de los Diputados, José Vicente Marí Bosó; and the Mayor of Ibiza, Rafa Ruiz; and others.
Ximo Puig remarked that Baleària is fundamental for the Valencian Community and Spain, and congratulated the shipping company for uniting sensibilities: “It is a key company, a local operator anchored in the region. The relationship between the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands has been strengthened thanks to Baleària.”
For her part, Minister Diana Morant pointed out that the shipping company was founded as a company of the future, which “has managed to change our country”. She also stressed that it has been “fundamental in structuring the region” and pointed to it as “an example of how the economy has a positive impact if business is carried out ethically.”
25th anniversary programme
Throughout 2023, Baleària plans to hold various events in the different regions in which it operates. “This year, more than ever, we want to be close to all the people who have helped us get this far, whether they are passengers, carriers, suppliers, the authorities, travel agencies… Without their complicity and trust, our crossing would not have been possible”, stated Adolfo Utor. The shipping company wants to showcase its history by giving a voice to the people who have participated in its journey, using various written and audiovisual materials that will be released throughout the year. In addition, the Baleària Foundation will be organising cultural events, including a music festival in Dénia, travelling exhibitions of paintings and photographs linked to the company’s 25th anniversary, and a commemorative sculpture to stand in the Dénia ferry station.
Baleària also unveiled the corporate image to commemorate the anniversary of its creation, which will be visible at all these corporate events, as well as in its commercial activities. It is a versatile and inclusive logo, highlighting the union of the 2 and the 5, creating a wave that transports us to the sea and represents sailing and the connection of regions and people.
Local gastronomy
At the end of the event, a cocktail was served and several chefs from the Balearic association Chefs(in) presented dishes inspired by the regions where Baleària operates. Ariadna Salvador (l’Obrador Ninumá, Mallorca) showcased her colourful and imaginative cuisine with the dishes Ba’ lé yarho, Rumbo verde and Medi terraneum. Jordi Cantó, chef at Sa Clastra (Mallorca), prepared three very different recipes based on the Balearic Islands, the Caribbean and the Strait of Gibraltar. Iñigo Rodríguez, chef at Hotel Pachá (Ibiza) proposed three simple combinations, reinventing the flavours of each recipe.
Baleària: 25 years linking regions and connecting people
In June 1998, Adolfo Utor orchestrated the creation of Baleària together with other former employees of the Flebasa shipping company. In just a quarter of a century, the shipping company has grown to operate 25 routes in six countries and employ a 1,800-strong workforce.
Since its inception, Baleària has been committed to innovation and it revolutionised the maritime sector by incorporating the first high-speed vessel connecting the Balearic Islands with the Spanish mainland. The shipping company continued to incorporate additional fast ferries while opening new lines in the Balearic Islands and Ceuta, beginning its internationalisation with the Algeciras-Tangiers crossing and setting up the Baleària Foundation as a way of contributing to the social and cultural development of the regions. The expansion of those early years culminated in the absorption of the Matutes Group’s shipping division and the acquisition of Buquebús España.
After this, a new phase began under the concept of experiential travel, focused on comfort and entertainment on board, thanks to four state-of-the-art ferries, which are more sustainable and have greater cargo capacity. In the years that followed, a new strategic direction took hold: insertion into foreign markets as a way to expand the business project, in the Caribbean and on various routes to North Africa (Morocco and Algeria).
With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap, the shipping company’s green horizon and its commitment to the eco-efficiency of its fleet began to more clearly distinguish its crossings. As such, Baleària has been a global pioneer in natural gas sailing and plans to launch Spain’s first electric ferry to coincide with its 25th anniversary, as well as working on projects linked to renewable energies. Baleària is a local company, committed to the development of the regions it works in and the welfare of their citizens, a standard-bearer for sustainability at sea and driven by a spirit of innovation.
