President of Baleària, Adolfo Utor, presented, on Thursday, at FITUR, the construction of the world's first high-speed passenger and cargo vessel powered by dual engines that consume natural gas. The chief executive of Armon, Laudelino Alperi, the general director of the Merchant Navy, Benito Nuñez, as well as the autonomous presidents of Valencia and the Balearic Islands, Ximo Puig and Francina Armengol respectively, accompanied the president of the shipping company at the event. This is the third vessel powered by LNG built by Baleària, which this year will incorporate to the fleet two ferries that also sail with this energy: Hypatia of Alexandria, this week, and the Marie Curie, in the next months.
"The construction of this new fast ferry is a pioneering project worldwide, which we have led together with the Armon shipyards, and in which we have had outstanding international partners, such as Wärstilä, Incat Crowther or Marintek", explained the president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor.
"This project will allow us to claim Spanish shipbuilding construction worldwide, as well as generate 300 jobs in Asturias in two years", highlighted the CEO of Armon, Laudelino Alperi.
In the same line has been expressed the general director of the Merchant Navy, Benito Núñez, considered that the construction of this vessel "It is very significant because it is a bet for the Spanish shipping industry".
The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, recalled "That the maritime transport in the Balearic Islands has an exceptional interest, allowing the possibility and the mobility right of residents and tourists".
Finally, the president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig, stressed that the construction of the new vessel "It is very good news". "Baleària has always contributed to the cohesion between the Comunitat Valenciana and the Balearic Islands through the Mediterranean and now with this project, it also allows us to create links with Asturias", he stressed.
The catamaran of greatest length and efficiency in the world
The president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor, has revealed that this fast ferry will be baptized with the name of Eleanor Roosevelt, "Writer and promoter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and activist of gender equality". It is the sixth ship of the shipping company that pays homage to pioneer women.
In addition to being the first fast ferry in the world for passengers and cargo powered by dual natural gas engines, it will also be the largest operating length currently available. Specifically, the vessel will have 123 meters of length and 28 of beam, capacity for 1.200 passengers and a hold that can house 500 ml of trucks and 250 passenger cars, or alternatively 450 passenger cars.
