The first ferry powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) of the Mediterranean has started to sail last night covering the Barcelona-Palma route. The Hypatia of Alexandria de Baleària He arrived last Sunday night at the port of Barcelona, coming from Venice, where the shipyards in which it has been built are located, Cantiere Navale Visentini.
The president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor, and the president of the Port of Barcelona, Mercè Conesa, carried out an exchange of metopes, in commemoration of the first scale of the ship in this port, which, like the shipping company, is committed to reduction of emissions and the impulse of the use of the GNL.
"The Hypatia of Alexandria marks an important milestone both in the history of Baleària and navigation in the Mediterranean, being the first passenger ferry powered by natural gas that crosses these waters, and which will continue in a few months its twin Marie Curie ", highlighted Utor.
The shipping company has invested 200 million euros in the construction of these two ships, an example of innovation and sustainability, powered by dual LNG and fuel engines (with a power of 20.600 KW).
Technological innovations to the passenger
El Hypatia of Alexandria It is the first smart ship of the Baleària company that includes technological innovations at the customer's service to improve its on-board experience. Among the novelties highlights the digitization of all the signage, access to the cabins without going through the reception (thanks to the QR code that customers will receive on their mobile), the camera system installed in the accommodations of pets (which will allow passengers see them at all times through their smartphone) or self-service totems in the cafeteria and self-service (from where passengers will place their orders, and they will be notified to pick them up through digital screens, avoiding queues).
As for digital entertainment, the ship has a platform that allows hiring the Wi-Fi service and to which passengers can connect through their mobile devices to access television and cinema content, including the latest releases, as well as games and a selection of books and magazines. This platform with digital content on demand is also accessible from the smart TV of the cabins.
Technical characteristics
Regarding technical characteristics, the new ferry has 186,5 meters in length and capacity for 880 people, 2.194 linear meters of cargo and 166 vehicles. For the accommodation of passengers, has three seats (two standard and one higher) equipped with reclining seats, and 120 cabins, with capacity for up to four people, equipped with full bathroom, air conditioning, wifi and smart TV and system of digital entertainment, in addition to two cabins for people with reduced mobility. The Hypatia de Alejandría also has a shop, cafeteria, self-service and a la carte restaurant, and jacuzzis on the outdoor deck.
The name of the ship pays homage to the teacher and scientist Hypatia of Alexandria, which offered unparalleled advances in the fields of mathematics and physics. In total there are six shipping companies that have been baptized with the names of women pioneers in their fields, in line with one of the goals established by the Sustainable Development Goals: Equality and empowerment of women.
