Spanish ferry operator Balearia is looking to order another LNG-powered ferry as it continues to build a fleet of such vessels.
Shipbuilding sources tell LNG Prime that Balearia is in talks with a China Merchants Industry shipyard to order one LNG-powered RoPax ferry.
Balearia and the Chinese yard could sign the shipbuilding deal later this year or the beginning of the next, the sources said, but they did not provide any additional information.
If confirmed, this would be Balearia’s tenth LNG-powered ferry as the Spanish firm looks to slash emissions and costs.
Balearia aims to have a fleet of nine LNG-powered vessels by the end of 2021 with a total investment of 380 million euros ($452 million).
Earlier this year, the company took delivery of its first LNG-powered fast ferry Eleanor Roosevelt from shipbuilder Armon Gijon.
The vessel claimed to be the world’s first LNG-powered fast ferry for passengers and cargo features four dual-fuel engines of 8,800kW each, allowing it to reach an operating speed of 35 knots.
Eleanor Roosevelt is the third LNG-powered newbuild to join Balearia’s fleet, but the company also has five converted ferries in operation.
Baleria recently said the conversion works on the last vessel, Hedy Lamarr, would start later this year, bringing the total to nine LNG-powered ships.