14 Vehicles Damaged on Tenerife-La Palma Ferry Due to Rough Seas
Fourteen vehicles were damaged on a Fred. Olsen ferry traveling between Tenerife and La Palma after rough seas caused the cars to shift in the hold.
A recent incident on the ferry route between Tenerife and La Palma has highlighted how vulnerable inter-island travel can be to bad weather. On the night of Friday, April 10, shipping company Fred. Olsen reported that 14 passenger cars were damaged when the ship became unstable due to rough seas.
Fortunately, no one was injured. The damage was caused by heavy swells in the north of the archipelago, with waves reaching up to four meters. The intense movement of the ship caused the vehicles in the hold to shift by as much as 30 centimeters, overcoming the standard securing systems used for the crossing.
The incident occurred while a weather alert for coastal conditions was already in place, issued by the Canary Islands government on Friday afternoon. Under maritime regulations, the ferry operator is liable for the damage and has already launched a claims process. The company stated that it will begin contacting the owners of the affected vehicles on Monday to arrange for repairs.
This event serves as a reminder of the challenges shipping companies face on Atlantic routes, where strong swells often impact both passenger comfort and safety. Beyond handling the repairs, the incident highlights the need to review cargo-securing procedures during weather alerts—a vital step for maintaining reliable transport in a region that depends entirely on these ferry links.