“This is a pioneering and technologically advanced public-private project that will allow us to make the entire journey for the first time using only electric energy and, therefore, with zero emissions,” explained the president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor. Last December, Baleària was awarded the tender by the Port Authority of Algeciras Bay (APBA) to manage the Tarifa-Tangier Ville line for the next 15 years. The APBA gave priority to technical and environmental criteria for the award of the first intercontinental green line. “The Port Authority established the bases for this project that 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,” stressed Utor.

These two catamarans will be built at Astilleros Armon in Gijón over the next two and a half years. Each vessel will have an electrical power of 16 MW, thanks to four electric propellers powered by batteries, whose capacity of 11,500 kWh will allow them to make the entire journey (18 miles) with electric propulsion and without emissions. "They will be totally decarbonized trips, which will comply, from 2027, with the objectives of 2050," stressed Utor, who added that electric propulsion, in addition to avoiding emissions, completely eliminates noise and vibrations. Each ship will also have four diesel combustion backup generators, with a total capacity of 11,200 kW, for possible contingencies.

The batteries will be fully recharged during the one-hour stopover in each of the ports. To do this, batteries of 8 MWh gross each will be installed in both ports, which will be added to the electrical supply on land (5 MW in Tarifa and 8 MW in Tangier). Charging will be done through two innovative autonomous robotic arms installed in each port, which will be connected to the ship through the OPS (Onshore Power System) connection of the same. "This innovative system will allow us to recharge the batteries needed for the route in just 40 minutes," said Utor. Between the installations on board and on land, the total capacity of the batteries will be 39 MWh gross (equivalent to about 765 electric cars).

The design of the ships is similar to Baleària's two 123-metre LNG fast ferries ELEANOR ROOSEVELT and MARGARITA SALAS (also built in Armon) but optimized for the ports of Tarifa and Tangier Ville. In addition to spacious and bright interiors equipped with numerous services, passenger comfort will also be guaranteed by a T-Foil system that cushions vertical movement. Furthermore, the catamarans will have great maneuverability thanks to the bridge spoilers, two bow thrusters and four rudders. In addition, they will have two high-capacity stern ramps to optimize operations and maneuvers in ports.

 © Shippax