Armón Gijón to build two new 100% electric fast ferries for Baleària: the shipping company will operate the first green corridor between Spain and Morocco
The public-private project also includes Tarifa and Tangier Ville Ports electrification
Balearia has commissioned Armón Gijón to build two 100% electric, zero-emissions fast ferries that will operate in the “first green corridor” between Spain and Morocco, as announced by the shipping company within the framework of Fitur. The future line, awarded by the Algeciras Bay Port Authority (APBA) to manage the Tarifa-Tangier Ville line for the next 15 years.
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, 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 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.
In addition to the ships, the public-private project also includes the electrification of the docks of both ports, where batteries will be recharged. To do this, batteries of 8 MWh gross each will be installed in both Tarifa and Tangier. 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.
Adolfo Utor, president of Balearia, has highlighted that it is "a public-private project, with a Spanish shipping company, shipyard and financier." Utor has also highlighted the participation of national and international companies of reference in the fields of engineering and energy, such as Cotenaval, Endesa, Amendis and Incat Crowther.
(Source: Industrias Pesqueras)