The first electric ferry in Spain, Baleà ria’s Cap de Barbaria, which has been sailing between Ibiza and Formentera since mid-May, was presented this afternoon at an event attended by nearly 300 people. Representatives of the institutions and the maritime sector, travel agencies, cargo customers and suppliers, among others, have been able to navigate on this electric ship that, during approaches, maneuvers and stays in ports, completely eliminates noise pollution and navigates with zero emissions.
“The Cap de Barbaria is a ship that means a lot to Baleà ria. We have put all our enthusiasm, knowledge and experience to have the first electric ferry in Spain, which allows us to follow the path that has guided us for years: to provide the best service to our customers in the most sustainable way”, highlighted Adolfo Utor, President of Baleà ria, who has indicated that the journey of the act has been zero emissions.
Utor has also highlighted the pride that this new ship sails on one of the routes that saw the birth of the shipping company in 1998: “We have been guaranteeing connectivity for residents of the Pitiusas for 25 years and ensuring the supply of goods to Formentera; We are committed to these islands and their inhabitants, but also to their environmentâ€.
The ship’s presentation was attended by the godmother of the ferry, the athlete from Formentera Andrea Romero, who congratulated the shipping company for the start-up of the ferry. “It will mean a before and after for our precious waters, our fauna and flora, our marine ecosystem, the beloved Posidonia, and our islands.” Romero was also grateful to be able to be part of this project, stressing that “sports and Baleà ria have taught me that, through values ​​such as struggle, enthusiasm and effort, great challenges and purposes can be achieved”.
Utor has also pointed out the acoustics of the ship as part of the experience: “Cap de Barbaria allows to reduce the noise of the engines completely in port and considerably in navigation, giving greater well-being to passengers and citizens and also to fauna Marine”.
All attendees have been able to verify this total absence of noise, since the event took place during a journey in Pitiusas waters. Upon arrival at the ship, the guests were received by a group of sonadores, and after the speeches they enjoyed a performance by the Ibizan group Joven Dolores. The cocktail served on board has included typical products from the Pitiusas. The boat will be presented tomorrow in Formentera.
The Cap de Barbaria ferry is 82 meters long and 15.5 meters wide, and sails up to 14 knots. It has an OPS ground connection socket, an energy storage system with autonomy of 12 hours in port and intelligent management of the ship’s power plant that optimizes its use at all times and improves its efficiency. In addition, the ship is prepared to install a hydrogen system that will allow Baleà ria to use it as a test laboratory for the use of green hydrogen on a small scale.
Operative for bow and stern (double-ended), it allows speeding up loading and unloading operations of up to 14 trucks that can be housed in its hold. In addition, in the design of the ferry, the Valencian company has taken into account that it can ensure its operation “in any weather condition” to guarantee the supply of essential products to Formentera.
In the design of Cap de Barbaria, they explain that outdoor spaces have been prioritized to emphasize the pleasure of traveling between Eivissa and Formentera, enjoying the natural environment during the journey. With capacity for 390 passengers, on the upper deck it has a chill out area equipped with designer sofas and hammocks and protected from the sun by tents, with a large bar in the center. Music sessions with a DJ and cocktail service are planned in this space on specific days. On the main passenger deck there are also more protected outdoor spaces, and it has an elevator between the passenger and garage areas, for passenger comfort.
