Baleària presents the construction of two 100% electric fast ferries with zero emissions to operate on the first green corridor between Spain and Morocco

Esto es un subtítulo

• The company has been awarded the tender by the Bay of Algeciras Port Authority, which has prioritised sustainability and innovation in the management of this route for the next 15 years
• The public-private project includes the construction of twin ships at the Armon Shipyard, as well as the electrification of the ports and the installation of battery recharging systems

Today at Fitur, Baleària presented the first green corridor between Spain and Morocco, which will be served by two 100% electric, zero-emissions fast ferries. These twin ships will connect the cities of Tarifa and Tangier. "This is a pioneering and technologically advanced public-private project that will enable us, for the first time ever, to run the entire route using only electric energy and, therefore, zero emissions", explained Baleària's president, Adolfo Utor. Last December, Baleària was awarded the contract by the Algeciras Bay Port Authority (APBA) to manage the Tarifa-Tangier Ville line for the next 15 years. The APBA prioritised technical and environmental criteria in awarding the first intercontinental green line. "The Port Authority laid the foundations for this project, which is in line with our innovation and sustainability values. We are taking on the challenge of turning the Tarifa-Tangier Ville line into an example of mobility, modernity and international sustainability", emphasised Utor.

The presentation ceremony for the most sustainable connection between Europe and Africa brought together around 300 people, with a large institutional representation, including the Spanish Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano; the Andalusian Regional Minister for Tourism and External Affairs, Arturo Bernal; the President of the Algeciras Bay Port Authority, Gerardo Landaluce, and the Moroccan Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, among others.

These twin catamarans will be built at the Armon shipyard in Gijón over the next two and a half years. Each boat will have 16 MW of electric power, thanks to four electric propulsion units fuelled by batteries, whose 11,500 kWh capacity will allow them to make the entire voyage (18 miles) under electric propulsion and emissions-free. "They will be totally decarbonised voyages, which will comply, from 2027, with the 2050 objectives", said Utor, who added that electric propulsion, in addition to avoiding emissions, totally eliminates noise and vibrations. Each ship will also have four diesel combustion back-up generators, with a total capacity of 11,200 kW, for possible eventualities.

The fast ferries' batteries must be fully recharged during the one-hour stopover in each of the ports. To do this, 8 MWh gross batteries will be installed in both ports, which will be added to the shore power supply (5 MW in Tarifa and 8 MW in Tangier). The charging will be carried out by two innovative autonomous robotic arms installed in each port, which will be connected to the ship via the ship's OPS (Onshore Power System) connection. "This innovative system will allow us to recharge the batteries needed for the route in just 40 minutes", explained Utor. Between the on-board and shore systems, the total battery capacity will be 39 MWh gross (equivalent to around 765 electric cars).

A pioneering public-private project

Utor stressed that this is "a public-private project, with a Spanish shipping company, shipyard and financier, which also involves the participation of benchmark national and international companies in the fields of engineering and energy, such as Cotenaval, Endesa, Amendis and Incat Crowther." For the president of Baleària, it represents a key link, which he defines as "a green umbilical cord uniting two countries with a close historical, cultural, economic and commercial relationship." Utor also pointed out the shipping company's intention to "turn the Tarifa-Tangier Ville route into a talent-attraction pole, a focus of development opportunities and a catalyst for the local economy and employment."

The Spanish Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, stressed that "the decarbonisation of transport is one of the Ministry's priorities." In this respect, he acknowledged "the commitment to sustainability and the enormous efforts being made by Baleària to promote the decarbonisation of its fleet and its commitment to innovation."

For his part, Arturo Bernal, Andalusia's Minister of Tourism and External Affairs, welcomed the fact that the region is once again a pioneer in sustainability. With an expected four million passengers, Bernal praised the commitment of Baleària and the Port Authority: "Projects like this consolidate the world's recognition of how sustainable our tourism industry is", insisted the minister. "The figures for the best ever year for tourism in Andalusia's history encourage us to keep working on the tourism of tomorrow", he concluded.

"The APBA wants to drive the energy transition, as well as facilitate strategic projects such as this one", stressed Gerardo Landaluce, president of the Algeciras Bay Port Authority. Landaluce highlighted "the firm commitment to innovation and environmental protection through the electrification of the docks", which will involve an investment of 62 million euros in OPS (OnShore Power Supply) projects in Tarifa and Algeciras. He also indicated that the land access to the Port of Tarifa will be improved.

⁠The Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, also took part in the event, thanking Baleària for its commitment to her country: "It is an innovative, sustainable and cutting-edge project, which will contribute to further strengthening the connections between Morocco and Spain, and which will reinforce the joint project between the two countries to host the 2030 World Cup."

Design and technical features

The design of Baleària's ships is similar to its two other natural-gas-powered fast ferries, the Eleanor Roosevelt and the Margarita Salas (also built in Armon), but optimised for the ports of Tarifa and Tangier Ville. They will have a beam width of 25 metres, capacity for 804 passengers and 225 cars, and a maximum speed of 26 knots.  In addition to spacious, bright interiors equipped with a wide range of services, passenger comfort will also be ensured by a T-Foil system that dampens vertical movement. The catamarans will also be highly manoeuvrable thanks to bridge ailerons, two bow thrusters and four rudders. They will also have two high-capacity stern ramps to optimise operations and manoeuvres in port.

Eco-efficient fleet

It is important to note that Baleària's fleet strategy is based on eco-efficient smart ships and it is working on projects linked to the energies of the future with a view to the goal of zero emissions by 2050. The shipping company has a fleet of 11 gas-powered ships and is a pioneer in the use of electric energy: since 2023 it has had two electric propulsion ships in its fleet, the Cap de Barbaria (the first electric passenger and cargo ferry in Spain with zero emissions on approaches and stays in port) and the Rusadir (a cruise ferry equipped with an electric propulsion system powered by dual natural gas engines).