Spanish ferry operator Baleària has announced the launch of the first high-speed, fully electric ferry route between Spain and Morocco, marking a milestone in maritime decarbonization.
Spain and Morocco are set to inaugurate the first-ever fully electric ferry service connecting both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. This green corridor between Tarifa, in Andalusia, and Tangier, Morocco, represents a significant step towards reducing maritime emissions while strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
The vessels will be built by Spanish shipyard Armon, known for its expertise in cutting-edge maritime engineering. Developed over 32 months, these ferries will be powered by 16 MW electric engines, ensuring zero CO₂ emissions during operation.
They will be capable of completing the crossing autonomously, with rapid recharging stations at the ports of Tangier and Tarifa allowing for a full recharge in just 40 minutes.
To accommodate this new fleet, significant upgrades will be made to port infrastructure on both sides of the strait. Baleària’s President, Adolfo Utor Martínez, hailed the initiative as a “transformational milestone” for the maritime sector, emphasizing its crucial role in transitioning towards more environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
The project is part of a broader strategy to decarbonize maritime transport in Europe and North Africa, reducing the carbon footprint of commercial flows across the heavily trafficked Strait of Gibraltar—one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, with over 100,000 ships passing through each year.
While the ferries will operate fully on electricity under normal conditions, they will also be equipped with backup diesel generators to ensure service continuity in case of unforeseen circumstances. This hybrid setup maximizes efficiency while maintaining reliability.
Beyond its environmental advantages, the green maritime corridor is expected to boost economic activity between Morocco and Spain. It will facilitate the movement of goods and passengers, strengthening trade and investment in the maritime sector.
The initiative is also poised to create jobs, particularly in port infrastructure maintenance and operations and further enhance regional economic integration by improving logistical links between North Africa and Europe. This aligns with the broader objectives of bilateral cooperation between Rabat and Madrid.
If successful, this pioneering maritime route could serve as a blueprint for similar projects in other key shipping lanes. As global regulations tighten on greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry, similar green corridors may emerge in other strategic waterways worldwide.
By combining innovation with environmental commitment, Morocco and Spain are reinforcing their roles as leaders in sustainable maritime transport. This first fully electric ferry service exemplifies how technology can transform traditional trade routes into ecological corridors, paving the way for a greener future in international shipping.
MK/te/sf/lb/gik/APA