Baleària has reached an agreement with the Italian shipyard Cantiere Navale Visentini to build two dual gas engine sister ferries, measuring 186.5m in length and a capacity for 810 people, 2,180 linear metres of cargo and 150 cars. The total investment in these innovative vessels is 200 million euros; they are expected to be operational by the end of 2018.
With the construction of these two vessels, the company takes a further step forward in its commitment to use natural gas and eco-efficiency in their fleet. The ships reach a speed of 24 knots thanks to two dual engines with a total power of 20,600KW.
The use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other clean energies reduce CO2 and NOx emissions by more than 40 per cent while at the same time eliminating extremely harmful emissions of sulfur and other particles.
Both ferries, with virtually identical characteristics, will have 123 cabins and 402 passenger seats. When it comes to onboard services, the company’s commitment is to add value to all voyages by providing passengers with an enjoyable travel experience.
So Baleària offers a wide range of on-board services, including a-la-carte and self-service restaurants, bars, shop, audiovisual programming, children’s workshops and magic performances, amongst others.
Adolfo Utor, president of Baleària, remarked that these two new ferries will allow the company to guarantee improved services to both passengers and logistic operators, ‘while at the same time gaining a competitive edge’.
The two smart ships ‘incorporate the latest technologies to be more sustainable and ensure the best passenger travel experience’.
Cantiere Navale Visentini is very pleased with this order and to build vessels for Baleària as a direct sale confirms the shipyard’s capabilities in developing new and innovative projects for RoPax Vessels to be extremely competitive in terms of both price and reliability.
These new ships are an addition to the ‘cruise ferry’ that Baleària ordered from LaNaval shipyard at the beginning of 2016. Like these two new vessels, they too will be gas powered and equipped with the latest, eco-efficient technologies.
This intelligent vessel will be the largest operating in the Mediterranean and amongst the largest in the world; it will incorporate cruise services to enhance the passenger experience. With a 187 million euro investment, it is expected to operate on the Balearic routes during 2019.
These three new vessels and the current auxiliary, gas-run engine of the ferry Abel Matutes (which uses this fuel in maneuvering and port stays), make Baleària one of the pioneer shipping company in the use of liquefied natural gas in the world.
