Baleària earned 67 million euros last year, 34% more than the previous year when its figures already showed a clear recovery compared to the stoppage required by the pandemic. The president of the shipping company, Adolfo Utor, has presented the economic results of 2022 in Dénia this afternoon and has stressed that these are "historic results", with a turnover of 563 million euros, 42% higher than that of 2021. The Ebitda of the company is also growing: from the 103 million of the previous year it stands at 140 million euros, an increase of 36%.
All in a particularly difficult time for transportation due to the rise in fuel prices. "We have overcome the fuel effect by taking positions in previous years that have contributed to the good results of the company, without omitting the great work of all the teams adapting to a complex scenario," said Utor.
Regarding gas, the businessman explained that they stopped consuming liquefied natural gas because "otherwise, we would not have been able to pay" and defended that "being sustainable and believing in sustainability cannot go through suicide." In this sense, he explained that they have now used it again on some vessels, since a dozen Baleària ships can already consume liquefied natural gas and emission-neutral renewable gas, thus preparing the company for the 2050 decarbonisation objective.
In summary, 2022 has been a year of consolidation for Baleària's recovery, after a 2020 that registered 15 million euros in losses due to the pandemic. However, yesterday Utor explained that the pandemic has been the great boost for the business, because after the "resounding" fall of 2020, the shipping company recovered in 2021 with an explosion of demand that has now been confirmed.
“There were many passengers who discovered the ship for the first time and who have stayed. Covid has done more for shipping than 25 years of public policy”, she declared. As a whole, Baleària transported 4,770,000 passengers, 1,211,00 vehicles and 7,037,000 linear meters of cargo last year, the highest volumes for the shipping company, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Regarding the profile of the traveler, 81% is national, with an outstanding leadership from those from the Balearic Islands, 53% from Baleària clients. In the 19% of international travelers, Morocco represents 15%, while Algeria represents 2% and the Caribbean 2%. Both markets, North Africa and the Caribbean, are the markets in which the businessman said that they focus on the deployment of the company's ferries.
Regarding Algeria, Utor explained that there are now limitations - "geopolitics cause problems" - but added that the numbers in this market have been offset by the opening of Morocco, where relations are "magnificent". By the way, Utor has stated that "we believe that these are traffics to be developed, in North Africa large industries are being installed and that relocation from Asia to here is going to be good for solving social problems and we will be aware of everything this".
In the company's plans, Adolfo Utor has detailed that there are two new ship constructions in the ports of Vigo and Gijón. In the first, the "Cap de Babaria" is built, the first electric ferry in Spain, which from the month of May will make the Ibiza-Formentera route. In Asturias, for its part, the "Margarita Salas" is being built, a second fast ferry with dual engines.
He has also talked about the future passenger terminal in Valencia, whose works he hopes will begin within 6 months, which added to the works, he plans to open in no more than two years. The one in Barcelona, for its part, has stated that it "progresses adequately", but has said that it is conditioned to the cruise terminals and that, therefore, the terms are "longer" than in the future Valencian terminal.
