Balearia News

A study commissioned by trade association Interferry has revealed startling statistics on the far-reaching extent of the global ferry industry’s value to the world economy.Research into the latest pre-Covid full-year figures found that, in 2019, ferries carried 4.27 billion passengers – on a par with aviation – and 373 million vehicles across a worldwide fleet of 15,400 vessels. Among other findings, the industry provided 1.1 million jobs, contributed $60 billion to the world…

High levels of occupancy during the first two months of 2020 and strong forward bookings are sustaining momentum for Gibdock, following a surge in demand for the Gibraltar repair yard in the last quarter of 2019.One standout project involving significant complexity saw Gibdock undertake extensive repairs to Juvel at the end of 2019, after the Aker Biomarine fishing vessel suffered extensive fire damage off South America. Over several months, the 99.5-meter-long Juvel required retrofitting across four decks…

Baleària Caribbean has launches a new fast-transport service linking Fort Lauderdale (Florida) with the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. The fast ferry connecting these two ports has a 650-person capacity and a maximum speed of 38 knots—35 for service—with the journey taking just under two hours.With five weekly services programmed to Bimini (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday), the number of connections could increase based on demand.The new faster ferry service from Port Everglades to Bimini replaces the previous service from the Port of Miami. Thus, Baleària Caribbean becomes the Resorts World Bimini official provider for both passengers and cargo.Adolfo Utor…

Baleària shipping company, based in Dénia and a world pioneer in the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel, has launched Marie Curie, its new smart ship with LNG engines.The launching ceremony took place at Cantiere Navale Visentini in Italy. The newbuilding is the company’s first ferry fueled by LNG that will operate in the Mediterranean.Marie Curie is one of two dual-fuel, gas-powered ferries being built at the yard, located near Venice. The sister vessel, Hypatia de Alejandria, is also nearing completion. Currently, the ferry is in dry dock where an antifouling solution is being applied to the hull.Hypatia de Alejandría will begin operating at the beginning of next year and Marie Curie a few months later…

The ‘LNGHIVE2: Infrastructure and Logistics Solutions’ project, coordinated by Enagás, has been selected by the European Commission ‘Connecting Europe Facility’ (CEF) for funding.The initiative aims to boost the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for maritime and rail transport. The total investment in the project will be around EUR14 million, of which close to EUR3 million will be financed by European funds.The initiative, coordinated by Enagás and promoted by Puertos Del Eastado, features the participation of six other partners: the Port Authority of Huelva, RENFE Mercancías, ADIF, Saggas, Marflet Marine, and the Valenciaport…

Balearia announced construction of the world’s first fast ferry for passenger and cargo powered by dual-fuel LNG engines. The Incat Crowther 125 design is a new class of ferry, being the first to use dual-fuel reciprocating engines and will also be one of the largest fast catamarans in service when it is delivered in 2020.The new design will be constructed by Spanish builder Astilleros Armon at their Gijon shipyard. The partnership of Astilleros Armon and Incat Crowther have together developed a high level of technical capability and capacity to deliver large aluminium catamarans.

Spain's Baleària will convert three ferries from diesel to LNG dual fuel using Caterpillar and MaK solutions.Incorporating the MaK DF engines will virtually eliminate the sulfur and particulate matter in the exhaust gases, while also cutting down NOx, resulting in even lower CO2 emissions. The three ferries to be converted are Abel Matutes, Bahama Mama, and Martin i Soler, each currently equipped with a pair of MaK 9 M 43 C main engines. After the conversion, the vessels will operate on two MaK 9 M 46 DF engines, which has a rated engine output of 8,685kW.

Spanish shipping company Baleària Eurolínias Marítimas (Balearia)’s first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled ferries, Hypatia de Alejandría, has been floated out at the Italian shipyard Cantiere Navale Visentini. The first ferry named Hypatia de Alejandría was launched on March 30, Baleària said in a statement, adding that the vessel would begin serving the Balearic Islands early 2019. Baleària ordered the two sister vessels back in January 2017 with a price tag of 200 million euros ($246.6). Baleària says that these two ships will be the first LNG-powered ferries to operate in the Mediterranean. The vessel has a length of 186.5 meters and it will be able to reach a maximum speed of 24 knots and will have a capacity for 810 people, 2,100 linear meters of cargo and 150 vehicles.

Parker Bestobell Marine, part of Parker Hannifin, has won a contract to supply cryogenic globe and check valves for two Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries (Calmac) being built at Ferguson Marine Engineering in Glasgow. The valves will be installed in the liquid natural gas (LNG) fuel gas systems of these vessels, which are the first U.K. built ships that will run on this environmentally friendly fuel. The new ferries will be ‘dual-fuel’ vessels so they can operate on both LNG and marine diesel.

Odfjell today signed an agreement for the sale of Bow Balearia, Bow Bracaria and Bow Brasilia, all 5,800 dwt, built 1997/1998. The vessels are the last remaining vessels within Odfjell’s trade in the European short sea market, and are being divested as a part of the Company’s cost-cutting and efficiency programme which includes exiting from unprofitable trades. The sales will result in an accounting loss, but will have a positive effect on the group’s liquidity and profitability.

Balearia has requested a license to operate between the U.S. and Cuba from the U.S. Treasury Department, after both countries' announcement of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. The shipping company is awaiting an official response from the U.S. government, and the subsequent authorization from the Cuban government. The Spanish maritime transport company has operated in the Caribbean region since late 2011 under the brand Bahamas Express, connecting Fort Lauderdale (north of Miami) and Freeport (in Grand Bahama Island).

Plentiful supply, low prices and strict regulations on air pollution are fuelling a swift move towards using LNG as fuel for ship propulsion in the USA and Canada. In Europe strict regulation in port is pushing passenger ship owners to use LNG fuel while berthed. For the last two or three years the view about switching to LNG fuel was that it was a chicken and egg situation. That period is over now. The first gas bunker terminals are ready, the first small scale LNG carriers and bunker vessels are in service and the bigger projects are lining up.

The keel of the 1,200 passenger vessel designed by the engineering and technology group SENER was recently laid in the Factory No. 2 of POSCO PLANTEC, in Ulsan, South Korea. SENER said its representatives attended to the keel laying ceremony, which was presided by members of the Zanzibar’s Government, the owner of the vessel. The ship will operate in Northern Mozambique, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanga and Mombasa. On behalf of the owner assisted to the ceremony the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communications, Dr. Juma Malik Akil; the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Khamis Mussa Omar; the Principal Secretary of the Second Vice President Office, Dr.

Adelte, a designer and manufacturer of sophisticated Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges (SPBBs) for cruise and ferry terminals has recently won eight contracts for the supply in 2014 of a total of eleven tailor-made SPBBs to the ports of Rotterdam, Stornoway, Swinoujscie and Ullapool in Northern Europe, Denia and Savona in Southern Europe and Busan and Singapore in Asia. Adelte has been awarded a contract by the Rotterdam Port Authority to install this summer a new KRONUS SPBB, which will replace the current system.

Odfjell announced the formation of Odfjell Euroceanica As, a 50/50 Joint Venture between Odfjell SE and Euroceanica Ltd. The J/V will trade all vessels currently operated by Crystal Pool and Odfjell Europe in the European short sea market. The new Crystal Pool set-up will open up for possibilities to offer combined services from Baltic to and from the Mediterranean, and give extensive world-wide coverage via the global presence and services of Odfjell Tankers. Existing contracts and commitments with all respective customers will remain unchanged. The new J/V looks forward to starting renewal dialogues of existing contracts as well as discussing new contracts and commitments for 2012 and beyond.

The all-aluminum TMV 115 monohull fast ferry Federico Garcia Lorca built at Rodriquez Cantieri Navali’s Pietra Ligure shipyard in Italy was delivered to Balearia Eurolineas Maritimas on June 22, 2001. The vessel immediately entered service on June 25 and operates between Dania on the Spanish mainland to the Balearic Islands of Majorca and Ibiza. Having completed her first season of operation, Rodriquez reports the performance of the largest Aquastrada class of fast monohull built to date. Federico Garcia Lorca entered service on June 25, only three days after the official handover from the yard. From then up until November 6, it did…

Currently under construction at Rodriquez Cantieri Navali SpA's Pietra Ligure shipyard is a TMV 115 high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry for the Spanish ferry operator Balearia Eurolines Maritimes. The contract for this vessel was signed in January 2000 and delivery is expected in May 2001. Though very similar in size and capacity to the previous TMV 114 delivered to Spanish operator Armas Ocean Jet in April of this year, there are notable differences. The reasons for these differences between the two vessels are due to owner preferences, including the choice of hull material. The additional truck lane meters of the TMV 115 have been obtained by using hoistable central and outboard car decks to allow for these taller vehicles.

The newest Rodriquez fast ferry, The Princess, has been delivered Arab Bridge Maritime Company of Jordan in less than 12 months. Following the primary assembly and initial outfitting at the company’s Pietra Ligure shipyard, the ship was then launched and moved for final outfitting and commissioning to another Rodriquez yard, Intermarine, in La Spezia. The TMV 84, yard number 323, follows closely on the heels of another TMV 84, the “Ramon Llull” that was delivered only two months prior to Balearia. Main engines are the MTU 595 series instead of MAN B&W’s Paxman. All four waterjets are now steerable. The passenger capacity has grown from around 450 to 710. “The Princess” can carry 654 passengers in economy class, 48 in first class and there is a luxury VIP saloon for an additional 8 people.

“Ramon Llull” (yard number 311), an 84 meter all aluminium fast ferry being built for Balearia Eurolinies Maritimes, was launched today at Rodriquez’s yard in Pietra Ligure, Italy. “Ramon Llull”, named after the thirteenth century Spanish philosopher, has a capacity for 462 passengers divided into 106 for first class, located on the upper deck, and 356 for economy class, located on the main deck. The car deck continues with the innovative arrangement found on the larger Rodriquez TMV 115 in that the central ramps can be raised to accommodate tall vehicles such as buses or trucks. With the decks lowered, the maximum car capacity is 58 cars but with the decks raised, there are 110 lane meters available for these tall vehicles yet still additional space for 22 cars.

Subsequent to extensive sea trials, the TMV 84 Ramon Llull was delivered to Spanish shipowner Balearia Eurolines Maritimes from Rodriquez Cantieri Navali’s Messina yard in Sicily – two weeks ahead of schedule. It is fitting that the vessel, which will operate on the Barcelona to Menorca route, is named after 13th Century philosopher Ramon Llull, who was born in Palma de Mallorca, made the short tip to the Ballearic Island where the vessel will operate. The sea trials, which encompassed more than three weeks, concluded on May 5, 2003, with positive results; the vessel, which can carry up to 330 tons dwt, surpassed speeds of 40 knots. Ramon Llull can hold up to 462 passengers in both tourist and first class, and holds a garage that is equipped with hydraulically hoistable ramps for 56 cars.