The Baleària company has announced the construction of two innovative ” electric fast ferries ” that will operate on the Tarifa-Tangier Ville route, becoming the first intercontinental green corridor between Spain and Morocco.
Electric ferries and zero-emission maritime transport
The new ships will be built by Astilleros Armon in Gijón, and will have an electrical power of 16 MW, equipped with four electric propellers powered by batteries with a capacity of 11,500 kWh. This will allow them to make the entire 18-nautical mile crossing between Spain and Morocco without CO₂ emissions, noise or vibrations, guaranteeing silent and ecological navigation.
To ensure the ferries’ operability, 8 MWh storage batteries will be installed in the ports of Tarifa and Tangier , complemented by an OPS ( Onshore Power System ) recharging system . Energy will be supplied by innovative autonomous robotic arms, capable of recharging the necessary batteries in just 40 minutes during the stopover in each port.
The Port Authority laid the foundations for this project, which is aligned with our values of innovation and sustainability. We have taken on the challenge of turning the Tarifa-Tangier Ville line into an example of mobility, modernity and international sustainability.
Adolfo Utor, president of Baleària.
The project has the support of the Port Authority of Algeciras Bay ( APBA ), which has prioritised environmental criteria in awarding the route to Baleària for the next 15 years. ” We want to be drivers of the energy transition and facilitate strategic projects such as this one ,” said Gerardo Landaluce, president of the APBA.
The fast ferries will have an optimized design based on the Eleanor Roosevelt and Margarita Salas models, with a width of 25 meters, capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, and a maximum speed of 26 knots. In addition, they will incorporate technologies to improve stability and maneuverability, such as a T-Foil system to cushion vertical movement and bow thrusters.
To ensure efficiency and safety, the ships will be equipped with backup diesel generators with a total capacity of 11,200 kW, which would only be activated in the event of contingencies, maintaining their primarily electric operation.
The Tarifa-Tangier Ville green corridor is part of a joint effort between public and private entities to promote sustainable mobility in maritime transport . Among the companies participating in the development of the project are Cotenaval, Endesa, Amendis and Incat Crowther, who will provide technology and infrastructure for the electrification of the route.
Ferries available for Spanish and Moroccan routes. Source: Baleària
This corridor aims to reduce the environmental footprint of transport between Europe and Africa, and to strengthen trade, cultural and economic relations between Spain and Morocco. ” Our goal is to turn this route into a hub for attracting talent, opportunities and development ,” said Utor.
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Source and photos: Baleària
