Baleària Tests Its New Natural Gas Fast Ferry

The Margarita Salas, a new fast ferry from Baleària, has begun its initial navigation tests, marking the final phase of its construction. The ferry, which the company expects to receive by the end of June, is being built at the Armón shipyards in Gijón. It is the second fast ferry in the world with dual natural gas engines.

The high-speed Margarita Salas will provide daily year-round service between Mallorca, Menorca, and Barcelona. This environmentally friendly vessel represents a significant investment of 126 million euros and runs on natural gas.

The ferry has a capacity for 1,200 passengers and 450 vehicles, mirroring its twin, the Eleanor Roosevelt. However, it features an additional passenger deck with a lounge, creating more spacious interiors. The rear terrace is larger, and the VIP lounge offers more comfortable seating.

Designed with passenger comfort in mind, the ferry's interiors and digital services ensure a pleasant journey. Passengers can enjoy various accommodations and amenities such as a cafeteria, shop, children's area with interactive games, internet access, free instant messaging during the voyage, digital boarding passes with seat assignments, a free entertainment platform, and a pet-friendly zone with climate control and video surveillance.

Inspired by the sustainability and innovation of the Eleanor Roosevelt, the Margarita Salas boasts the same dimensions (123 meters in length and 28 meters in beam) and a 10% increase in power with four 9,600 kW dual natural gas engines, enabling speeds of up to 35 knots. It also features two azimuth thrusters for improved maneuverability during docking, a stabilization system for smoother rides, and advanced technology to minimize vibrations and noise.

Additionally, the ferry includes an Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system for connecting to electrical power while docked and measurement equipment to monitor fuel consumption and engine efficiency. With two natural gas tanks providing an autonomy of approximately 470 miles on gas and a total range of 1,000 miles, the Margarita Salas stands as a cutting-edge addition to Baleària's fleet.