Spain and Morocco to be connected by high-speed electric ferries
Spanish shipping company Baleària has announced the creation of the first green corridor between Spain and Morocco, which will be served by two all-electric fast ferries. The vessels will operate between Tarifa, Spain and Tangier, Morocco, providing an environmentally friendly link between Europe and Africa.
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Each of the ferries will be equipped with four electric engines totalling 16MW, powered by 11,500kWh batteries. This will enable the vessels to cover the 18-mile route without emissions. Autonomous robotic arms and shore power systems with a capacity of 5MW in Tarifa and 8MW in Tangier will be installed in the ports to recharge the batteries during the hour-long dockings, while the ferries will also have 11,200kW backup diesel generators for emergencies.
President of Baleària, Adolfo Utor, said that this project is pioneering and technologically advanced, allowing for the first time all-electric voyages without emissions. He emphasised that electric propulsion not only eliminates emissions but also reduces noise and vibrations, improving passenger comfort.
The twin catamarans are expected to take two and a half years to build at the Armon shipyard in Gijon, with commissioning scheduled for 2027. This project is in line with Baleària's sustainable development strategy and contributes to the achievement of decarbonisation targets by 2050.
Source: Offshore Energy
