Built by the Armón group from Asturias, Spain, the nation’s first fully electric passenger and cargo ferry is already serving the route between Ibiza and Formentera in the Balearic Islands. This vessel marks a new milestone in low-emission sea travel for Navia-based operators, signaling a tangible shift toward cleaner maritime operations in the region.
Named Cap de Barbaria, this ship, built for Baleària, measures 82 meters in length and 15.5 meters in beam. Its electric propulsion system enables emissions-free movement during the approach, docking, mooring, and port calls. The vessel carries an energy storage system that relies on cutting-edge lithium batteries, delivering up to 12 hours of on-port autonomy. Baleària representatives highlight that the project substantially improves air quality along the Ibiza–Formentera route when compared with existing ships on the same corridor. Plans are already in motion to install a hydrogen system featuring 200 kW cells, a storage capacity designed to supply about a third of the vessel’s energy needs and to operate around the clock. Baleària also intends Cap de Barbaria to function as a testbed for small-scale green hydrogen applications, expanding the ship’s role beyond transport into energy research. [citation: Baleària]
The new ferry first touched the waters of the Pitiusas on a Saturday, completing several docking trials the next day. Regular service began on Monday, with the craft now plying the Ibiza–Formentera route. Cap de Barbaria can accommodate up to 390 passengers and 14 trucks, performing four round trips per day in each direction and ensuring the steady supply of essential goods to Formentera thanks to a 240-meter long cargo deck. The interior layout prioritizes efficient use of space for both passengers and freight, without neglecting comfort. The upper deck hosts a relaxation zone furnished with designer seating and hammocks, protected from the sun by shaded canopies, a spacious central bar, a dedicated area for a DJ, and refreshment showers for travellers. An indoor cafeteria and a dedicated play area for children round out the onboard amenities, ensuring a more enjoyable journey for all aboard. [citation: Baleària]
Armón built Cap de Barbaria at its Vigo shipyard. In parallel, the Asturias-based group is constructing Margarita Salas for Baleària at its Gijón facilities, an enhanced version of the Eleanor Roosevelt, which marked Armón’s earlier milestone as the world’s first gas-powered fast ferry built at the same facility. This ongoing collaboration reinforces Armón’s position as a leader in modern, sustainable maritime technology and confirms Baleària’s commitment to advancing zero-emission passenger and cargo transport within Spain and beyond. [citation: Armón; Baleària]