November 1, 2018
Baleària is also finalising the construction of what will be the first two smart ro-pax ships with LNG engines to sail the Mediterranean. The HYPATIA DE ALEJANDRÍA is scheduled to begin operations early next year, followed by the MARIE CURIE a few months later.
Meanwhile, the first of a total of six ships in the fleet will have its engine replaced this autumn to allow it to sail with LNG. The European Union recently awarded Baleària a grant of some €12 million out of the total investment €72 million.
Within the next three years Baleària plans to have at least half of its ferry fleet using LNG, rising to a 100% of the fleet within ten years.