Built by the Asturian Armón group, Spain’s first electric passenger and cargo ferry is already in service between the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Formentera. With this ship, the Navia-based company marks a new milestone in low-emission navigation.
“Cap de Barbaria”, the name of this ship built by the Baleària company, It is 82 meters long and 15.5 wide.. Thanks to its electric drive, it cruises without emissions during the approach, maneuver, mooring and porting phases. The ship has an energy storage system with state-of-the-art lithium batteries that allow it to have 12 hours of autonomy in port. “This represents a significant improvement in air quality compared to ships currently operating on the route between Ibiza and Formentera,” Baleària sources said. In addition, “Cap de Barbaria” is preparing to install a hydrogen system with 200 kW cells, a storage capacity that will allow it to be used 24 hours a day, and providing 30% of the energy needed by the ship. Baleària will use the ship as a test lab for small-scale use of green hydrogen.
The new ferry reached Pitiusas waters on Saturday and conducted several docking tests on Sunday.. She started sailing between Ibiza and Formentera on Monday. With a capacity of 390 passengers and 14 trucks, it makes four trips a day in each direction and guarantees the supply of necessary products to Formentera thanks to its 240 linear meter cargo warehouse. The use of space for passengers and cargo does not preclude the ship from having rest areas. The upper deck features a “relax” area equipped with designer sofas and hammocks and sheltered from the sun by tents, a large bar in the middle, space for a disc jockey and showers to cool off during the journey. There is also an indoor cafeteria and a children’s area to spice up their journey.
Armón produced the “Cap de Barbaria” at his shipyard in Vigo. In addition, the Asturian group is building “Margarita Salas” for Baleària at its shipyard in Gijón, an improved version of the “Eleanor Roosevelt”, the world’s first gas-powered fast ferry built by Armón in Gijón.