FRS Ferries (now DFDS in the Strait of Gibraltar)

FRS Iberia/Maroc, the company behind the "FRS" fast ferries across the Strait of Gibraltar, now belongs to the Danish ferry group DFDS. DFDS agreed the purchase in 2023 and completed it in 2024. The old website, frs.es, now redirects to dfds.com. If you searched for FRS on the Algeciras routes, you are looking for DFDS. On Tarifa to Tangier, FRS no longer sails at all.

What changed and when

• 2023 to 2024: DFDS bought FRS Iberia/Maroc from the FRS group of Flensburg, Germany, including its Strait routes, port rights and fleet.
• 4 May 2025: FRS made its last Tarifa to Tangier Ville crossing, after 25 years and more than 16 million passengers on the route.
• May 2025: Baleària started Tarifa to Tangier Ville under a 15-year port concession. Africa Morocco Link (AML) also sails the route from a separate berth.
• August 2025: DFDS agreed to buy Naviera Armas's Strait business: the ro-pax ferry Volcán de Tamasite (Algeciras to Tangier Med) and the fast ferry Villa de Agaete (Algeciras to Ceuta).
• July to September 2026: Spain's competition authority (CNMC) approved the deal with conditions. DFDS went ahead with the Tangier Med part and dropped the Ceuta part, so Villa de Agaete stays outside DFDS. The CNMC requires the assets behind Armas's Ceuta service to pass to a third operator.
• 20 September 2026: Morocco returned to GMT all year. Moroccan clocks are now two hours behind Spain until Spain's clocks go back on 25 October 2026, then one hour behind.

What DFDS runs in the Strait now

Algeciras to Tangier Med. This is the main car route between Spain and Morocco. DFDS lists a crossing time of 1 h 30 and at least 11 crossings a day, from the early hours to midnight. It carries cars, motorbikes and caravans. Tangier Med is about 40 km east of Tangier city, so foot passengers need a bus or taxi into town. The Armas ship Volcán de Tamasite is joining the DFDS fleet on this route. See the Algeciras to Tangier Med ferry page.

Algeciras to Ceuta. DFDS runs fast ferries to Spain's city on the North African coast, with about 1 hour at sea and 10 or more departures a day. On 26 September 2026 all DFDS sailings on the route used the fast ferry Ceuta Jet. Baleària and Naviera Armas also sail this route. See the Algeciras to Ceuta ferry page.

The former FRS fleet includes the fast ferries Algeciras Jet, Ceuta Jet, Levante Jet, Poniente Jet and Tarifa Jet, and the ro-pax ferries Kattegat and Tanger Express. DFDS does not promise a fixed ship for each sailing, so the vessel on the day may differ from the one you expect.

Where FRS travellers should look now

Tarifa to Tangier Ville. Book with Baleària or Africa Morocco Link (AML). The crossing takes about 1 hour, docks at Tangier Ville port next to the medina, and carries cars as well as foot passengers. It is still the best crossing for a day trip to Tangier. Timetables, fares and passport tips are on the Tarifa to Tangier ferry page and in the Baleària guide.

Algeciras to Tangier Med or Ceuta. Book with DFDS, or compare with Baleària. AML also sails to Tangier Med. Naviera Armas still ran Algeciras to Ceuta in late September 2026, but its Strait business is being split up, so check that route before you rely on an Armas booking.

Existing FRS bookings. frs.es forwards to DFDS. For changes to an Algeciras booking, use your booking reference on dfds.com or call the DFDS Strait call centre on +34 956 68 18 30.

Booking DFDS on the Strait

• Arrive early. DFDS asks for at least 90 minutes before departure. Allow more in July and August, when Operation Marhaba (Operación Paso del Estrecho) traffic fills Algeciras.
• Changes. DFDS allows free ticket changes up to 48 hours before departure.
• Premium Class. On Algeciras to Ceuta, DFDS sells Premium Class with larger leather seats and food and drink included.
• Weather. A strong easterly Levante wind can delay or cancel fast ferries in the Strait. The larger ro-pax ferries to Tangier Med cope better.
• Clock change. Check which time zone a timetable uses. Since 20 September 2026 Morocco stays on GMT all year, so Tangier Med is two hours behind Algeciras until 25 October 2026.

For the wider picture, including the Balearic ferries, see Spain and Morocco ferries.