Enhanced Connectivity at Sea
Fred. Olsen Express has upgraded its onboard WiFi connectivity by incorporating a third Starlink satellite antenna across its fleet. As part of its commitment to offering the best travel experience, the ferry operator began implementing this service on its vessels in 2023 in collaboration with a Spanish partner. The addition of this third antenna now further strengthens and expands the coverage and quality of the internet connection available at sea.
A Pioneering Service for Smoother Sailing
This service improves internet access during crossings, providing passengers with faster, more stable, and higher-speed WiFi while out on the open sea. Fred. Olsen Express became one of the first maritime companies to begin incorporating this pioneering system in September 2023, and continues to work on its integration to enhance the quality of travel. This is all made possible through collaboration with the Spanish company Satlink, which has agreements with major global providers of communication solutions and services, such as Starlink.
Commitment to Fast, Low-Latency Internet
Ángel Aceña, Director of IT and Information Security at Fred. Olsen Express, stated: “In our company, we implemented the first of these antennas in September 2023, with the goal of offering faster connectivity with low latency during high-sea crossings, so that both crew and travellers can make practical use of the WiFi. This system stands out for having a network of satellites in low orbit, which guarantees a better connection as they are closer to Earth than other similar devices.”
David Rol, Head of Satellite Communication Services at Satlink, added: “We have worked closely with Fred. Olsen Express to help them define their onboard connectivity needs and offer the best technological solution for their fleet. Our priority has been to provide a reliable, high-quality connection for both the crews, in their daily operations and onboard welfare, and for the passengers, improving their travel experience. With the incorporation of this third Starlink antenna, we take a further step in improving connectivity at sea, ensuring an even more efficient and stable service during all crossings.”
Fleet-Wide Upgrade and Future Plans
The shipping company currently has three Starlink antennas on each of its inter-island vessels. One is dedicated exclusively to providing connectivity for the crew’s daily work requirements, while the other two are available to serve passengers. Until now, the ships had only one antenna exclusively for passengers; the recent addition of a second has effectively doubled the bandwidth to offer travellers an improved experience. Furthermore, considering the increase in passenger numbers in recent months, the company is working to incorporate a fourth antenna during the first half of 2026. This is a free service, with the objective of continuing to offer the best onboard experience to all its passengers.
Five Decades Connecting the Canaries
Fred. Olsen Express is the leading shipping company in the Canary Islands and has been guaranteeing connectivity between the islands for over 50 years. Since its first crossing in 1974 with the Ferry Gomera, between San Sebastián de La Gomera and Los Cristianos in Tenerife, the company has maintained its commitment to the development of maritime transport in the archipelago. It is characterised by providing a service with state-of-the-art vessels based on comfort, punctuality, speed, and flexibility. True to its vocation of generating wealth within the Canarian community, it has a team of nearly 1,000 people.
Currently, Fred. Olsen Express operates a fleet of eight high-speed boats, two mini-ferries, and three cargo ships for freight transport, connecting the archipelago across seven islands. It operates seven inter-island maritime routes and one coastal route in the south of La Gomera. Additionally, it links the Canaries with mainland Spain via connections from Gran Canaria and Tenerife to Huelva.
Market Leadership and Sustainable Innovation
Fred. Olsen Express is the leader in the inter-island market. It performs an average of 22,500 journeys per year and annually transports more than 3.7 million people, 66,000 pets, 1,000,000 cars, and 1,300,000 linear metres of cargo, equivalent to approximately 100,000 freight vehicles. Since its inception, over 89 million passengers have trusted the company.
In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Canary Islands 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, through its ‘In Harmony with the Sea’ programme, Fred. Olsen Express applies innovation across all its processes to minimise its environmental footprint.
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