August 22, 2025. Baleària is making good progress with the construction of the Mercedes Pinto, its third natural gas-powered fast ferry, which is scheduled to be launched in September at the Armon Shipyards in Gijón, Spain.
Work on the Mercedes Pinto fast ferry is now at an advanced stage, with the entire hull structure completed and the natural gas tanks, main and auxiliary engines, and the propulsion system, among other components, being installed, in addition to the electrical wiring and plumbing.
The Mercedes Pinto, expected to be operational in 2026, will strengthen Baleària’s eco-efficient fleet, joining its sister ships, the Eleanor Roosevelt (2021) and Margarita Salas (2023). The 123-meter-long ship, with capacity for 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles, will maintain the same innovative and comfortable features as its predecessors. It will feature two decks of lounge seating, various cafeterias both inside and on the sundeck, a dedicated children’s area, and pet-friendly accommodations, among other features.
This will be Baleària’s twelfth ship with dual natural gas engines, a technology that is also equipped to run on 100% biomethane or green hydrogen blends of up to 25%, CO2-neutral renewable energies that represent the future of maritime propulsion.
