Baleària floats out its first fully electric fast ferry, which will connect Tarifa and Tangier from summer 2027

Baleària has unveiled its inaugural fully electric fast ferry at Armon Shipyards in Gijón, which will connect Tarifa and Tangier starting from summer 2027. The second vessel, currently under construction, will follow suit after the summer. Both catamarans will operate on an exclusively electric power supply, eliminating emissions, noise, and vibrations.

This marks the maiden green corridor between Spain and Morocco. Baleària Chairman Adolfo Utor emphasized that this launch transforms a strategic project into reality, bringing the first fully electric maritime connection between Europe and Africa closer in 2027. He further stated that the vessels help advance the 2050 net-zero emissions target by several decades, showcasing how innovation, investment, and industrial collaboration can expedite maritime transport decarbonization.

Armón CEO Laudelino Alperi expressed pride in contributing to this innovative project, highlighting the strong rapport between the companies' teams. The shipyard estimates that the two catamarans generate over 300 direct jobs on a daily basis at their facilities, along with indirect employment, bolstering the shipbuilding industry's impact on supporting sectors.

The €200 million project to build the vessels and electrify the ports of Tarifa and Tangier City faces technological challenges, with the 87-meter-long vessel boasting an aluminum structure designed for low weight, strength, and high performance, along with a 14 MWh high-capacity battery system. The float-out, a crucial milestone, involves controlled flooding of the dry dock until the vessel begins to float.

Following the float-out, the dock will be drained again for the completion of the second catamaran in dry conditions. The first vessel, now afloat, will undergo interior fitting and the gradual commissioning of all auxiliary systems, followed by sea trials to verify its operational reliability and safety before final delivery.