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Tag: Baleària | Ferry Shipping News

Nov 28
3

Baleària Tests Methanol-to-Hydrogen Power Unit on CAP DE BARBARIA

By | 2025 Newsletter week 48 | No Comments
  • Baleària will install Europe’s first stand-alone e-methanol electricity generation container on the electric ferry CAP DE BARBARIA.
  • The eNomad system, developed by Methanol Reformer, reforms renewable methanol to produce hydrogen on board for auxiliary power.
  • The project turns the Ibiza–Formentera ferry into a hydrogen research platform, testing fuel cells, batteries and methanol as an energy vector.
  • The hydrogen will power a fuel cell, reducing generator use, cutting fuel consumption and lowering emissions.
  • Baleària wants to assess scalability for other ships and routes as part of its broader decarbonisation strategy.
  • CAP DE BARBARIA already operates with zero emissions in port, cutting CO₂ by 33% since 2023.
  • The initiative forms part of the BUCEMTO project, supported by EU Next Generation funds.
  • Baleària continues a multi-energy approach, combining natural gas, biofuels, electricity, hydrogen and methanol.
Oct 03
3

Baleària Highlights Refrigerated Cargo at Fruit Attraction

By | 2025 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments
  • Refrigerated products, mainly fruits and vegetables, account for 35% of Baleària’s cargo in the Balearic Islands and 25% in Morocco.
  • The company is showcasing its expertise in refrigerated cargo at Fruit Attraction, the leading international fair for the fruit and vegetable sector.
  • Cargo Director Maximiliano Bermejo stressed Baleària’s commitment to the agri-food sector, underlining speed and reliability as key values.
  • Total freight traffic rose 11% between January and August 2025 compared to last year.
  • Growth was seen in the Balearics, Morocco, and Algeria, supported by new Barcelona–Algiers and Barcelona–Oran services.
  • Baleària will also present innovation and sustainability projects to reduce the carbon footprint of fresh produce shipping.

Source: Baleària

Oct 03
3

Baleària Introduces Regular Use of BioLNG

By | 2025 Newsletter week 40 | No Comments
  • Since September, MARGARITA SALAS, ABEL MATUTES and RUSADIR run exclusively on renewable bioGNL.
  • Baleària sourced 132 GWh of bioLNG, enough for carbon-neutral sailing until December 2025.
  • This represents 13% of the LNG consumed by the fleet in 2024.
  • The use of bioGNL between September and December avoids 80,300 tonnes of CO₂ – equivalent to removing 153,500 cars from the road or planting 160,650 trees.
  • BioLNG is produced from livestock waste, capturing methane and converting it into energy, with GHG savings above 200% compared to fossil fuels.
  • Baleària is the first European ferry operator to receive ISCC EU certification, guaranteeing traceability and sustainability of biofuels.
  • The certification strengthens Baleària’s position as a pioneer in maritime decarbonisation.

Source: Baleària

Sep 19
3

Baleària Files Lawsuit Against Ibiza Vehicle Restriction

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

Baleària has lodged a lawsuit against the Agreement of the Consell d’Eivissa (28 March 2025), which enforces Law 7/2024 on vehicle traffic control for sustainable tourism.

The shipping company seeks:

  • Annulment of the restriction (valid until 30 September).
  • A constitutional review, arguing violation of fundamental rights: equality and mobility.

Key arguments:

  • Legal and technical inadequacy: reports by Universitat Jaume I and consulting firm Meteoclim claim the measure is ineffective, discriminatory, and amounts to “regulatory greenwashing.”
  • Minimal environmental benefit: the measure does not target the main source of congestion – resident vehicles – and lacks monitoring mechanisms.
  • Negative economic impact: restrictions harm maritime transport, while air passengers face no limits.
  • Unintended effects: vehicle registrations on Ibiza rose by over 70% (Feb–Jun 2025), bypassing the restriction.

Baleària President Adolfo Utor:

“We believe the Consell’s agreement is a political and management blunder and a legal botch… This measure seriously harms a strategic sector and paradoxically attacks what it claims to defend: the environment and maritime connectivity.”

The company will publish detailed evidence of the restriction’s impact in the coming days.

Sep 19
3

Baleària Launches AI Challenge With Marina de Empresas and Google Cloud

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments
  • Baleària has launched a new challenge at Marina de Empresas’ DataHub, in collaboration with Google Cloud.
  • Goal: develop an AI solution to improve customer experience using data such as occupancy, prices, promotions, weather, and market behaviour.
  • Participants will use Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and BigQuery, supported by experts from Sngular.
  • Programme runs 17–31 October, with final presentations on 31 October.
  • Open to students, faculty, startups, employees, and professionals with data/AI experience. Registration closes 10 October.

Source: Baleària (in Spanish)

Aug 29
3

Armas Trasmediterránea to Sell Operations to Baleària, Transfers Strait Activities to DFDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea, through its holding Bahía de las Isletas SL, has signed two binding agreements.

  • To Baleària: sale of routes, assets, and employees in the Canary Islands, the Iberian Peninsula, Algeria, and the Alboran Sea, plus its land transport business.
  • To DFDS and Baleària: transfer of Strait of Gibraltar activities, including vessels, concessions, and employees.

Assets and Revenue

  • Inter-island Canary Islands, Peninsula, Alboran, and Algeria routes generated €420m in 2024.
  • Assets include vessels VOLCÁN DE TENO, VOLCÁN DE TAMADABA, VILLA TAZACORTE, VOLCÁN DE TINAMAR, VOLCÁN DE TINDAYA, JUAN J SISTER, ALMARIYA, and VOLCÁN DE TIMANFAYA.
  • Also included are port terminals, offices, and concessions in key ports such as Tenerife, Arrecife, Cádiz, Melilla, Motril, Almería, La Palma, La Gomera, and Nador.
  • Strait routes generated €66m in 2024.
    • Baleària acquires the ferry CIUDAD DE MÁLAGA and a concession in Algeciras.
    • DFDS acquires VOLCÁN DE TAMASITE, VILLA DE AGAETE, and terminals in Algeciras, Ceuta, and Tangier Med.

Next Steps

  • Completion is subject to competition authority approval.
  • Shareholders and creditors have already given their consent.

Leadership Comments

  • Sergio Vélez, CEO Armas Trasmediterránea: “This step consolidates our future, opens new opportunities, and marks the conclusion of a successful restructuring process.”
  • Adolfo Utor, President Baleària: ““If this deal goes ahead, it will help a local Spanish shipping (Baleària) company to continue competing efficiently with the large groups that have recently arrived and are already operating in our waters.”
  • Mathieu Girardin, Head of Ferry Division, DFDS: “The growth of the Strait of Gibraltar ferry market has exceeded our expectations since we entered the market in 2024. The two ferries we are purchasing are already operating on overlapping routes and we expect to deliver a smooth transition and an immediate enhancement of services to both passengers and freight customers.”
  • From Baleària’s legal advisors Albors Galiano Portales on Linkedin: “Two strategic pillars have guided this operation: the territorial cohesion of our country, ensuring the connection between the islands and the mainland, and the creation of a major Spanish shipping company prepared to face the challenges of the future.”

About the deal with DFDS Iberia SL

  • The two ferries being purchased are the RoPax ferry VOLCAN DE TAMASITE (2004) and the HSC VILLA DE AGAETE (1999).
  • In addition, the capacity share of the freight RoRo EOS shared among the incumbent operators on Algeciras-Tanger Med is increased.
Jun 27
3

Presentation in Tanger: Baleària to Launch Two Electric Fast Ferries on Tarifa–Tangier Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 26 | No Comments

This week, Baleària presented at Tanger City Port the project for the first green corridor between Spain and the Kingdom of Morocco, which will be operated by two 100% electric, zero-emission fast ferries, built in Spain and which will be operational from 2027.

Ships will be built in Spain by Armon, each powered by 16 MW electric propulsion (4× propellers, 11,500 kWh batteries), enabling the 18‑mile crossing emission‑free.

Associated ports in Tarifa and Tánger will be electrified with OPS charging systems (~5–8 MW), recharging vessels in about 40 minutes.

Jun 14
3

Baleària and Fred. Olsen Express Add Fourth Weekly Sailing on Huelva–Canary Islands Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 24 | No Comments
  • Baleària and Fred. Olsen Express are boosting capacity on the Huelva–Tenerife route with a fourth weekly service between 15 July and 18 September.
  • New sailings are scheduled to meet increased summer demand for both passengers and road freight.

Vessels in Service

  • SICILIA: 1,000 passengers, 400 vehicles.
  • MARIE CURIE: 800+ passengers, 600 vehicles.

Strategic Alliance Milestone

  • The route has been jointly operated for over six years.
  • Since launch:
    • 2 million linear metres of cargo.
    • 250,000 passengers transported.

Statements

  • Juan Ignacio Liaño, Fred. Olsen Express: “The fourth trip helped meet high demand in 2024, so we’re repeating it this summer.”
  • Georges Bassoul, Baleària: “Freight demand continues to grow—this market is key for Baleària.”
Jun 14
3

Baleària Launches Its Largest Ever OPE Summer Offer

By | 2025 Newsletter week 24 | No Comments

For this year’s Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE), Baleària is deploying its largest maritime offer to date, with up to 34 daily sailings from 15 June to 15 September to meet high seasonal demand.

  • New route: Tarifa–Tánger Ville operated for the first time by Baleària, offering up to 12 daily sailings with two high-speed vessels.
  • Expanded Algeria service: First-ever sailings from Barcelona to Algiers and Oran, plus an increase from one to three weekly rotations on Valencia–Mostaganem.
  • Fleet: 10 vessels (ferries and fast ferries), several recently refurbished.
  • Crew reinforcement: Over 300 seasonal staff hired in southern Spain and North Africa.

Routes to Morocco

  • Tarifa–Tánger Ville: 10–12 daily sailings (1-hour crossing).
  • Algeciras–Tánger Med: 8–9 daily sailings with up to 3 ferries.
  • Almería–Nador: 2–3 daily departures.
  • Motril–Tánger Med: Seasonal service.

Routes to Ceuta & Melilla

  • Algeciras–Ceuta: 9 daily sailings (5 fast ferries, 4 ferries).
  • Málaga–Melilla: Up to 2 daily sailings, including the cruise ferry RUSADIR on Saturdays.

Routes to Algeria

  • Barcelona–Algiers & Oran: Weekly sailings on Mondays and Wednesdays.
  • Valencia–Mostaganem: Increased to 3 weekly sailings (Tue, Thu, Sat).

Onboard services are tailored to OPE travellers, with Arabic and French-speaking staff, halal food options, and prayer rooms.

“This is our most ambitious OPE operation ever, reflecting our commitment to efficient, high-quality mobility for the thousands of North African passengers travelling each summer,” said Georges Bassoul, CEO of Baleària.

May 23
3

Baleària and Boluda Submit Bids for Naviera Armas

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

Spanish ferry operators Baleària and Boluda Corporación Marítima have submitted non-binding bids to acquire Naviera Armas. The sale process is being managed by investment funds including JP Morgan, Barings, Cheyne, Bain, and Tresidor, who took control of Naviera Armas after capitalizing its debt.

Key Details:

  • Baleària, advised by Deloitte, is bidding for two of the three main operational areas of Naviera Armas: the Canary Islands and the Alboran Sea routes. There is also an option to include the Strait of Gibraltar routes.
  • Boluda, advised by KPMG, has partnered with a group of Canarian investors, including Rodolfo Núñez, president of the airline Binter, as well as companies like Satocan and Astican. Their bid focuses on maintaining and strengthening maritime connections within the Canary Islands.
  • Spanish media also write that DFDS is interested in acquiring a smaller portion of Naviera Armas, specifically targeting the Strait of Gibraltar routes. Also Stena and MSC are sometimes mentioned.
  • The shipping company’s valuation in the sale is estimated at around €200 million.

 Trasmediterránea (Balearic routes) was sold to Grimaldi in 2021 and became Grimaldi Trasmed.