Baleària has launched the 'Mercedes Pinto' at the Armón Shipyards in Gijón, its third high-speed catamaran equipped with dual engines capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel, and prepared for zero-emission fuels. The shipping company allocates 128 million euros to this unit, which is expected to enter service next summer as part of its fleet decarbonization roadmap.
With a length of 123 meters and a beam of 28 meters, the 'Mercedes Pinto' will be able to carry 1,200 passengers and about 400 vehicles, reaching a maximum speed of 35 knots. Like its siblings 'Eleanor Roosevelt' (2021) and 'Margarita Salas' (2023), the use of LNG will reduce CO₂ emissions by around 30% compared to a conventional diesel ferry, completely eliminating sulfur and particulate emissions. The vessel is prepared to operate in the future on 100% biomethane and green hydrogen blends of up to 25%, aiming to achieve a zero emissions balance when these fuels become commercially available.
During the launching ceremony, Baleària's president, Adolfo Utor, stated that the construction of this third catamaran responds to the results obtained by the twin units in navigation, comfort, eco-efficiency, and passenger satisfaction. In his speech, he placed the 'Mercedes Pinto' within the company's modernization and decarbonization plan.
The vessel's equipment incorporates technologies aimed at energy efficiency and onboard comfort. It has four dual engines and two azimuth thrusters to improve maneuverability in port. It features a state-of-the-art stabilization system that reduces motion, vibrations, and noise during navigation. To minimize its impact at scale, it has OPS (Onshore Power Supply), which allows connection to the electrical grid on land and disconnection from diesel generators, eliminating emissions and noise in port. Additionally, it incorporates monitoring equipment for engine consumption and performance to optimize operational efficiency.
Baleària is constructing two 100% electric zero-emission fast ferries that are twins to the 'Mercedes Pinto', which will operate the Tarifa–Tangier City route starting in 2027, aiming to make it the first green corridor between Spain and Morocco. These twin units, under construction at the same shipyard in Gijón, will be based on the architecture and solutions of the current LNG catamarans — including the 'Mercedes Pinto' — adapted for fully electric propulsion using high-capacity batteries sufficient to cover the 18 nautical miles of the crossing without polluting emissions.