Four new passenger catamarans will provide short crossings in the Balearic Islands
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Gondan has floated out the first of Baleària’s four new eco fast ferries at its yard in Asturias, ahead of the vessel’s December 2017 delivery.
To be delivered between December 2017 and mid-2018, each of the 28-metre long catamaran ferries will accommodate 350 passengers, 270 indoors and 80 outside on the upper deck. In line with Baleària's commitment to the environment, the vessels’ names will reflect the four elements of nature and include Eco Aqua, Eco Terra, Eco Aire and Eco Lux.
Key environmental features include a wave-piercing bow, which will help the ferries to maintain a regular speed of 28 knots and reduce wave slamming. The ferries will also have photovoltaic solar panels to power their onboard services and a hull made from polyester reinforced with fibreglass, which eliminates the need for paint. In addition, they will be powered by 1450 hp diesel engines, which minimise gas and pollution emissions.
“The four eco fast ferries will be the most eco-efficient of the moment in their modality,” said Adolfo Utor, president of Baleària.
The first ferry, Eco Aqua, will serve the route between Eivissa and Formentera in the Balearic Islands.