June 16, 2025. Baleària will name its third natural gas fast ferry Mercedes Pinto, in recognition of the prominent 20th-century Tenerife writer and poet. The new vessel is in an advanced stage of construction at the Armon Shipyards in Gijón and is scheduled to launch next September.
“Naming this innovative catamaran Mercedes Pinto is a way of honoring a woman ahead of her time, whose vocation marked an era in the advancement of social rights through literature and poetry, among other fields. Mercedes Pinto’s legacy reflects Baleària’s values and our commitment to the Canary Islands and their sociocultural heritage,” emphasized the shipping company’s president, Adolfo Utor.
The fast ferry Mercedes Pinto will join the shipping company’s series of high-speed vessels powered by natural gas: the Eleanor Roosevelt (2021) and the Margarita Salas (2023), maintaining similar characteristics to its twins: 123 meters in length, 28 meters in width and a capacity to transport 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles. In addition, the Mercedes Pinto will integrate the improvements in comfort and on-board services applied to the Margarita Salas, with a second deck with a seating lounge in the bow and an aft terrace with an outdoor bar.
