Ferry

Spanish shipyard launches Balearia fast ferry

Baird Maritime

The first of Baleària's four eco ferries has been launched at the Asturias shipyard of Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Gondan.

To be delivered between next month and mid-2018, the 28-metre-long catamaran ferries will accommodate 350 passengers (270 indoors and 80 outside on the upper deck).

The vessels, which include a wave-piercing bow to maintain a regular speed of 28 knots and reduce wave slamming, will be called Eco Aqua, Eco Terra, Eco Aire and Eco Lux

To be powered by 1,081kW diesel engines, the ferries will also have photovoltaic solar panels to power onboard services and a hull made from polyester reinforced with fibreglass.

The first ferry, Eco Aqua, will operate between Eivissa and Formentera in the Balearic Islands.