Spanish ferry operator, Baleària is set to operate a new fully electric ferry line between Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco.
The electric catamarans will be built at the Armon shipyard in Gijón over the next two years by Astilleros Armon. The two 87-metre vessels have been designed by Incat Crowther and will be capable of reaching a maximum speed of 26 knots with capacity for 800 passengers and 225 cars.
The vessels will be powered by four electric propulsion units, providing 16 MW of electric power. The ferries will also include a combustion system as a backup for emergencies. The battery capacity of 11,500 kWh per vessel will enable emissions-free crossings on the 29-kilometre route.
The charging infrastructure at the ports will be supported by 5 MW battery systems in Tarifa and 8 MW in Tangier. The ferries will be recharged during one-hour stopovers using autonomous robotic arms connected to onshore power systems. The charging process is expected to take 40 minutes.
The project includes an investment of 62 million EUR for the electrification of the docks at Tarifa and Algeciras.
Adolfo Utor, President of Baleària said:This is a pioneering and technologically advanced public-private project that will enable us, for the first time ever, to run the entire route using only electric energy and, therefore, zero emissions.
