Malaga-based investment company, Fundación Unicaja has supported the commercial expansion of Alma Cruises by taking a 35% stake in the company.
Alma Cruises is the first Spanish boutique shipping company to start operations and is also based in Malaga.
Unicaja Foundation’s General Manager, Sergio Corral, and Alma Cruises’ President, Elisardo Sánchez, have signed the deal.
The cruise ship operator will begin cruising in April with an inaugural voyage from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Malaga.
Alma Cruises will offer voyages designed for the Spanish speaking community, calling at Andalusia, Ceuta, Melilla, the Spanish Mediterranean coast, Costa Azul, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands.
The company’s investment into Alma Cruises’ marks a significant milestone, as it will allow it to accelerate growth, expand its commercial operations into new markets and enhance its capacity for innovation in the industry.
This investment will also serve as the cash injection to enable a contract to be signed for a second ship in the fleet, which is scheduled to enter into service in 2028.
The alliance between Unicaja Foundation and Alma Cruises will contribute to the strengthening of the tourism and maritime sector, boosting job creation, economic development and the promotion of sustainable and socially responsible tourism, the companies claimed.
Corral stressed that the incorporation of the institution into Alma Cruises “responds to the Foundation’s interest in promoting the socio-economic development of our region through the commitment to a high-growth segment within the tourism industry and with the capacity to attract other related sectors.”
“Fundación Unicaja’s investment not only strengthens our financial position, but also provides valuable knowledge and experience in the financing of future projects,” added Sánchez, who also highlighted that “both institutions share the same values and pursue the same objectives: to generate the greatest social benefit in the destinations we reach, to promote culture and maintain an unavoidable commitment to the environment.”
Alma’s Board includes Sánchez (President), Agustín Fernández, Pedro Costa, Javier de Pro, Cristina Rico and Antonio Jesús López (Secretary).
Alma Cruises’ first ship, ‘Ocean Victory’, was built in 2021 and is 104 m long, has 93 all exterior cabins, 85% of which are fitted with a balcony, for a maximum of 186 pax in double occupancy.
Thanks to her inverted bow design (X-Bow) and hybrid electric engines, the cruise ship consumes 60% less fuel than a conventional counterpart.
This and the management of water and waste use on board, convey Alma Cruises’ firm commitment to sustainability and the environment, the company added.
In addition, it has been awarded the ‘Spain is Excellence’ (SIE) seal, which certifies high quality tourism companies and promotes Spain as a benchmark destination at an international level.
