Baleària will invest 60 million euros to convert five of its ferries to LNG. The conversion of the vessels will take place over the course of the next two years, in order to be able to be propelled by LNG and reduce polluting emissions.
The ferries Naples, Abel Matutes, Sicily, Bahama Mama and Martin i Soler are part of this project, in which the shipping company will invest a total of 60 million euros.
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The use of LNG in these vessels is expected to reduce more than 45,000 tons of CO2 annually, 4,400 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and cut sulphur and particulate emissions completely.
The first of the ships of the fleet that will adapt to the gas propulsion will be the Naples ferry, since the works on this ship will start this winter.
Balearia is also studying two other LNG projects and is building two smart ships at the Visentini shipyard in Italy, the first of which will be operational as of next February.
According to the president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor, “in three years the company plans to have nine ships sailing with this energy”.
Last year the company launched the first LNG energy generator on a passenger ship, the Abel Matutes, and has been running since 2015 an LNG training plan for its crew and ship inspectors.
