In recent weeks, Baleària has increased the consumption of natural gas by one hundred percent in its ten ships equipped with dual engines. The shipping company estimates that this will allow it to stop emitting close to 80,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere between June 1 and the end of the year. In October 2021, to avoid losing competitiveness, the shipping company continued to use this cleaner energy only for entries, approaches and stays in port.
It should be noted that, despite the temporary reduction in the use of gas due to the adverse context, Baleària has maintained its commitment to this fuel, which allows CO2 emissions to be reduced by up to 30%. Thus, Baleària has incorporated two more ships that can navigate on gas, already in 2022 the retrofit of the Hedy Lamarr was completed and this spring it chartered the Rusadir, a cruise ferry equipped with an electric propulsion system powered by dual natural gas engines. In addition, Baleària is building the Margarita Salas fast ferry, an improved second unit of the innovative Eleanor Roosevelt fast ferry. In total there are eleven ships with dual engines, a versatile technology that allows them to navigate with different fuels, including natural gas, an energy that Baleària considers transitional as it is the cleanest and most mature that currently exists for maritime transport. In addition, these ships are technologically prepared to consume 100% biomethane or synthetic methane, as well as green hydrogen mixtures of up to 25%, although these CO2-neutral renewable energies are currently unfeasible due to costs and availability.
Fast ferry Margarita Salas
The Armon de Gijón shipyards have already built 90% of the aluminum structure of the Margarita Salas, Baleària's second fast passenger and cargo ferry with dual engines. It is expected that the ship can be launched this autumn and start operating next spring on the Barcelona-Ciutadella-Alcúdia route.
This new ship will have the same characteristics as its sister ship Eleanor Roosevelt (123 meters long, 28 meters wide and a capacity to transport 1,200 passengers and 400 vehicles) but it will have a second deck with a lounge in the bow and will double the surface from the aft terrace with a bar service outside. In addition, the Margarita Salas will increase the power by 10% compared to her counterpart ship. The construction of the ship is a project co-financed by the Next Generation Funds of the European Union
