2019 Newsletter week 25

Maelir AB Becomes Viking Line’s Largest Individual Owner

On Wednesday 19 June, Maelir AB acquired just over 17.1% of Viking Line Abp.

Maelir AB is a private holding company based in Stockholm. It is active in real estate, hospitality and shipping.

After the transaction, Maelir’s ownership in Viking Line amounts to 17.75%. From now on Maelir is Viking Line’s largest individual owner.

Sellers include the companies Ab Rafael and Rafael Investering Ab.

Rafael Mattsson co-founded Rederiaktiebolaget Vikinglinjen, which later became Viking Line Abp. He was also the founder of the company which today constitutes both Ab Rafael and Rafael Investing Ab. For a long time, he was board member of Viking Line, and CEO ad interim when co-founder Gunnar Eklund retired.

What is Operation Marhaba? Each year many Moroccan expats travel to their home country during summer. Known as ‘Operation Marhaba 2019’, this migration sees a huge peak in ferry travel across the Western Mediterranean and Strait of Gibraltar. In the beginning of summer to go south, at the end they head back north.

When? From 5 June till 15 September 2019.

Numbers:  28 Ferries on 11 Routes.

What has been improved?

• Algeciras – Tanger Med
• +8% daily rotations: 13 ferries offer 53 daily rotations
• +11% passenger capacity 47,210
• +13% car capacity 12,895

Almeria – Nador

• +30% daily rotations: 4 ferries offer 6.5 daily rotations
• +56% passenger capacity 7,800
• +62% car capacity 2,185

Busiest periods

Southbound peak period is 14-21 July and 25 July- 8 August, with 5,000 cars and 18,000 pax per day.

Northbound peak period starts mid-August, with more than 5,000 cars and 18,000 pax per day, until 2 September.

What is Operation Marhaba? Each year many Moroccan expats travel to their home country during summer. Known as ‘Operation Marhaba 2019’, this migration sees a huge peak in ferry travel across the Western Mediterranean and Strait of Gibraltar. In the beginning of summer to go south, at the end they head back north.

When? From 5 June till 15 September 2019.

Numbers:  28 Ferries on 11 Routes.

What has been improved?

• Algeciras – Tanger Med
• +8% daily rotations: 13 ferries offer 53 daily rotations
• +11% passenger capacity 47,210
• +13% car capacity 12,895

Almeria – Nador

• +30% daily rotations: 4 ferries offer 6.5 daily rotations
• +56% passenger capacity 7,800
• +62% car capacity 2,185

Busiest periods

Southbound peak period is 14-21 July and 25 July- 8 August, with 5,000 cars and 18,000 pax per day.

Northbound peak period starts mid-August, with more than 5,000 cars and 18,000 pax per day, until 2 September.