Iscomar (Compania Iscomar S.A.) was a company which operated a single ferry service between Alcudia on the Balearic island of Mallorca and Ciutadella on the Balearic island of Menorca. It used to operate ferry services from the Balearic’s to the Spanish mainland. After 2009, Iscomar stopped operating all of its routes except her Alcudia – Ciutadella service.
Iscomar began operations in 1979 with a small fleet of container ships. In 1998 the company commenced a passenger service between Alcudia and Ciutadella using the 1977 built ferry NURA NOVA In 2005 a fast ferry was acquired to operate between Ibiza Town and Formentera. In 2008, the 1988 built ferry ISABEL DEL MAR joined the fleet though from June 2012, she was laid up in Barcelona.
On 26th August 2016, Iscomar announced that it would close its only route between Alcudia and Ciutadella and would subsequently close down for good. The NURA NOVA sailed the route, for Iscomar, for the last time on 11th September 2016. This marked the end of Iscomar after operating around the Balearic islands for over 30 years. Iscomar blamed the route closure on too much competition on an already crowded route.
In September 2016, Iscomar closed down after operating for 37 years.
Both in 2006 and 2007 the 1976 built ropax MERCEDES DEL MAR was at Malta Shipyards for drydocking/repairs.
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Thursday 2nd April, 2020