Italy’s Grimaldi Group is to buy five ropaxes and two terminals from Spain’s biggest shipping company, Armas Trasmediterranea Group.

It is a significant move for the Neapolitan owner through a deal that includes the transfer of rights to operate between the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands.

The five ropaxes are currently deployed by Armas Trasmediterranea in the Spanish cabotage trades.