Baleària to Launch First Fully Electric Ferry Route Between Spain and Morocco

Credit: Balearia

Spanish ferry operator Baleària has unveiled plans to operate the first fully electric ferry line connecting Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco. Over the next two years, two electric catamarans will be built at the Armon shipyard in Gijón to serve the intercontinental route, marking a significant step toward zero-emission maritime transport in the region.

The vessels, designed by Incat Crowther, will measure 87 meters in length and boast a capacity for 800 passengers and 225 cars. Equipped with four electric propulsion units delivering 16 MW of power, the ferries will feature 11,500 kWh battery systems, enabling them to complete the 29-kilometer journey entirely on electric energy. Emergency combustion systems will serve as a backup. The ferries are expected to achieve speeds of up to 26 knots.

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“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,” said Adolfo Utor, Baleària’s President and Owner. He credited the Algeciras Bay Port Authority (APBA) for laying the groundwork for the initiative.

The ferry line, awarded to Baleària last December for a 15-year period, is supported by significant infrastructure investments. Charging systems at the ports in Tarifa and Tangier will be equipped with autonomous robotic arms for seamless onshore power system (OPS) connections, allowing the ferries to recharge in just 40 minutes during one-hour stopovers. Battery systems of 5 MW and 8 MW will be installed in Tarifa and Tangier, respectively, contributing to the docks’ electrification, which involves a €62 million investment.

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Gerardo Landaluce, President of the APBA, noted the port’s broader commitment to sustainability, including improvements to land access at the Port of Tarifa. Arturo Bernal, Andalusia’s Minister of Tourism and External Affairs, highlighted the project’s transformative potential, saying it would serve an estimated four million passengers while reinforcing the region’s status as a leader in sustainable transport.

The project aligns with Morocco’s growing focus on electric transport. In recent years, the country has announced significant investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, including plans to install 2,500 charging points by 2026 and develop battery production facilities.

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Baleària’s initiative aims to create lasting economic and environmental benefits for both regions. Utor emphasized the ambition to “turn the Tarifa-Tangier Ville route into a talent-attraction pole, a focus of development opportunities, and a catalyst for the local economy and employment.”

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