FRS and L'EXPRESS DES ILES present: The inauguration of our largest ship in the Caribbean, already!

FLENSBURG/POINTE A PITRE, April 8, 2024
In a major development for FRS and L’EXPRESS DES ÎLES, we are delighted to announce the upcoming launch of our most magnificent vessel to date, ready to set sail in the Caribbean Sea in 2024. Recently integrated into the FRS Group, L’Express des Îles aims to redefine Caribbean travel by enhancing its services with unparalleled comfort and operational excellence.
As a pioneering leader in passenger maritime transport, L’Express des Îles embodies FRS’s visionary development efforts.
Built in Norway, this 60-meter-long high-speed vessel showcases outstanding maritime engineering expertise. With a capacity to accommodate 428 passengers in meticulously designed seating and a garage for vehicles, it represents a remarkable feat of design. Equipped with an advanced stabilization system, the ship ensures a smooth crossing, delivering an unmatched travel experience.
Fully air-conditioned, our new vessel offers a range of onboard refinements, including a duty-free shopping area and dining outlets. These features lay the groundwork for crossings that are as enjoyable as the destinations themselves, elevating travel standards across the Caribbean region.
Moritz BRUNS, President of L’EXPRESS DES ÎLES, shares his vision:
"This significant investment marks the dawn of an ambitious era for L’EXPRESS DES ÎLES, as we aim to expand our horizons in the Caribbean Sea. Our commitment not only includes improving the reliability of our services on the Marie-Galante route and the international routes to Dominica, Martinique, and Saint Lucia, but also stimulating growth and employment in the Caribbean, fostering a future of development for the community."
Onick DERAVEL, CEO of L’EXPRESS DES ÎLES, echoes this enthusiasm:
"This critical addition to our fleet not only strengthens our reliability and operational consistency but also responds to our customers’ demands for dependable inter-island transportation. This new vessel is a beacon of progress, enhancing our operational flexibility and capacity to meet community needs with ease, especially during peak season. Beyond service improvement, it heralds a wave of job creation, contributing to the economic vitality of our region."
About L’Express des Îles
For 37 years, the Guadeloupe-based maritime company L’Express des Îles has been synonymous with professional, high-quality, and reliable service. Headquartered at the Bergevin Maritime Terminal in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, the company, originally known as "Antilles Trans Express (ATE)," began by offering fast passenger transport services between the islands of Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, and Marie-Galante—French overseas territories. In 1989, the company extended its services to Martinique and Dominica, followed by Saint Lucia in 1994. Today, L’Express des Îles operates three high-speed catamarans in collaboration with its subsidiary "Jeans for Freedom," serving several national and international routes.
About FRS
Headquartered in Flensburg, FRS is a group of internationally operating ferry companies. Over the past decades, FRS has evolved from a regional passenger ferry operator to a leading specialist in ferry-based maritime transport, with a fleet of over 60 vessels and more than 1,500 employees from over 40 countries. Annually, FRS transports 5.7 million passengers and 1.5 million vehicles across its numerous domestic and international maritime routes. The acquisition agreement aligns with FRS’s strategic realignment following the successful sale of FRS Iberia, focusing on diversifying its portfolio of routes.