Morocco’s Competition Council formally finalized the acquisition of Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea’s assets by Baleària during the last week of August, in a transaction subject to strict compliance with binding commitments to prevent abuses of a dominant position, according to Moroccan media. Canarymaritime reviewed the documentation from Morocco’s CNMC, and the data cited date from June.
According to Moroccan media, the conditions imposed protect the cost of transporting road freight—trucks and trailers—thereby preventing an increase in logistics costs for Moroccan exports and imports in their connections with European markets. With this decision, Rabat’s regulatory institutions reaffirm their regulatory sovereignty over major cross-border corporate transactions that directly affect the national economy.
The agreement, formalized amid the development of Operation Crossing the Strait (Marhaba 2026), marks the culmination of an international regulatory marathon that began in August 2025. Following the prior integration of the group’s assets in the Canary Islands last May and approval by Spain’s National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), Moroccan authorities issued their final decision at the end of June, allowing Baleària to consolidate its operational control over key routes in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea.
Green light subject to binding commitments
The Moroccan competition authority’s decision was issued under Law 104.12 on price freedom and competition. After examining the application submitted in March 2026 and opening a period for third-party representations, the Permanent Commission chaired by Ahmed Rahhou approved the transaction under Article 14 of Law 20.13.
The decision authorizes Baleària Eurolíneas Marítimas S.A.U. to take control of Armas’s assets in the Strait of Gibraltar, while empowering Gestión Naviera, S.L. to acquire the operational logistics resources in the Alboran Sea. The transfer covers the assets of seven Armas group subsidiaries, including Compañía Trasmediterránea and Trasmediterranea Shipping Maroc, incorporating vessels assigned to the Tangier Med–Algeciras route, port concessions, points of sale, IT systems and assigned personnel.
With the completion of this integration, Baleària’s operational capacity reaches historic levels in regional maritime transport. Operational fleet: more than 50 merchant and passenger vessels in service; an annual forecast of over 8 million passengers and more than 11 million linear meters of rolling cargo; a consolidated workforce of approximately 4,500 fleet and shore-based employees; and combined revenue that will exceed €1 billion.
Protection of users and supply chains
The intervention by Morocco’s Competition Council reflects the risk that the absorption of Baleària’s main competitor could result in a de facto monopoly on Strait crossings. To mitigate potential market distortions during the weeks of heaviest summer traffic, the unpayable commitments imposed on the Spanish company place limits on the unilateral manipulation of passenger capacity and guarantee fare stability for travelers.
The article ‘Baleària completes Naviera Armas acquisition as Morocco approves deal under strict conditions’ was first published on canarymaritime.com.
