Baleària has begun the construction of two 100% electric twin catamarans that will operate the route Tarifa–Tangier City starting in 2027. The shipping company plans to turn this route into the first green maritime corridor between Spain and Morocco, operating the crossing of 18 nautical miles (about 33 km) exclusively with electric energy and without polluting emissions.
The vessels are being built at Astilleros Armón (Gijón) and will have an installed electrical power of 16 MW and batteries with a capacity of 13,000 kWh (13 MWh). The electric propulsion system will eliminate noise and vibrations during navigation, aiming to improve onboard comfort and reduce the acoustic footprint. Each unit will offer capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, a maximum speed of 26 knots, and a T-Foil system designed to stabilize movement and smooth navigation in variable conditions.
The project incorporates the energy adjustment of the terminals. In Tarifa and Tangier City, land-based storage systems with 8 MWh gross batteries per port will be installed, which will be integrated with the available electrical supply — 5 MW in Tarifa and 8 MVA in Tangier —. The recharging of the vessels will be carried out using two autonomous robotic arms per call, which will allow recovering the necessary energy for the next trip in approximately 40 minutes. This operation aims to maintain commercial frequency without extending the stay times in port.
The design of the catamarans is adapted to the operational conditions of both locations. In addition to the T-Foil, they will have winglets on the bridge with control integration, two bow propellers, two stern propellers, and four rudders, in order to facilitate maneuvers in confined spaces and optimize berthing. At the stern, two high-capacity ramps will expedite the boarding and disembarking of vehicles.
"It represents a decisive step towards decarbonized and sustainable maritime mobility, bringing forward the climate objectives set for 2050 to 2027," said Baleària's president, Adolfo Utor, who positioned this corridor as a relevant link for the historical, cultural, economic, and commercial relations between both countries, with the potential for job creation and local activity.
The initiative aligns with the innovative and eco-efficient fleet strategy of the shipping company. Baleària currently operates 11 vessels powered by natural gas — with a twelfth in the final construction phase — and has accumulated experience in electric solutions with units such as theCap de Barbaria and the Rusadir. According to the company's data, in 2024 it reduced its carbon footprint per passenger by nearly 10% thanks to the combination of cleaner fuels and energy efficiency measures. With the new 100% electric fast ferries, the company maintains its roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.
The schedule foresees the entry into service of the catamarans in 2027, conditioned on the completion of electrification works and the activation of charging and storage systems in both ports. Coordination between the shipyard, shipping company, port authorities, and network operators will be crucial to complete the technical and operational integration of the corridor.