Baleària has floated out the first of two fully electric fast ferries at Armón’s shipyard in Gijón. The vessel is scheduled to enter service between Tarifa and Tangier City in summer 2027, with its sister ship joining after the summer.
The 87-metre aluminium catamaran incorporates a 14 MWh battery system. Both vessels will operate entirely on electric power, enabling crossings without direct emissions. Baleària describes the project as the first fully electric maritime connection between Europe and Africa.
Investment in the two ferries and the electrification of the ports of Tarifa and Tangier City exceeds EUR 200 million.
The catamarans are being built in parallel in the same dry dock. During the float-out, the partially assembled second vessel also became afloat but remained in position. The dock will now be drained so construction of the sister ship can continue.
The first vessel will undergo interior outfitting and systems commissioning, followed by sea trials before delivery.
