Baleària has completed its first direct LNG bunkering of the fast ferry Mercedes Pinto at its usual commercial berth in the Port of Las Palmas. Approved by port authorities and local fire officials, the streamlined weekly operation eliminates necessary vessel shifts and strengthens alternative fuel logistics across the Canary Islands.
Las Palmas | July 14, 2026 – Spanish ferry and logistics operator Baleària has streamlined its liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operations in the Canary Islands, conducting its first direct refueling of the new fast ferry Mercedes Pinto at its designated commercial berth.
The operation, carried out at Ramp 4 of the Nelson Mandela Dock in the Port of Las Palmas, eliminates the operational delay of moving the vessel to a secondary dock specifically for refueling. Following a comprehensive safety audit conducted alongside the local Fire Department and the Port Authority of Las Palmas (Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas), the port has cleared routine berth-side LNG bunkering operations, which will now occur every Monday.
- Vessel: Mercedes Pinto, a 123-meter dual-fuel Ro-Pax fast ferry capable of running on bio-LNG and hydrogen blends.
- Location: Ramp 4 at the Nelson Mandela Dock within the Port of Las Palmas.
- Primary Fuel Type: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), biomethane ready.
- Bunkering Schedule: Conducted routinely on a weekly basis every Monday.
- Regulatory Approval: Jointly cleared and audited by the Las Palmas Port Authority (Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas) and the local Fire Department.
Technical & Operational Milestone
Until recently, dual-fuel vessels operating out of Las Palmas often required a double-berthing procedure, first docking at a primary commercial ramp to unload passengers and freight, and subsequently warping or shifting to dedicated bunkering quays to receive fuel.
By securing regulatory clearance for simultaneous or localized bunkering at Ramp 4, Baleària reduces vessel turnaround times, saves fuel on auxiliary maneuvering, and keeps its core inter-island schedule intact.
- Vessel Architecture: Built by Astilleros Armón in Gijón and designed by Incat Crowther, the €128 million Mercedes Pinto is powered by four Wärtsilä 16V31 DF dual-fuel engines capable of running on LNG, bio-LNG, or green hydrogen blends up to 25%.
- Fuel Infrastructure: The vessel features an onboard LNG storage capacity of 190 m3. Weekly supplies will be managed via Multi-Truck-to-Ship (MTTS) transfer units directly at the berth, ensuring seamless fuel integration without disrupting cargo flow.
Expanding the Atlantic Bunkering Hub
The Port of Las Palmas sits as a critical maritime midpoint between Europe, West Africa, and the Americas. The authorization of routine berth-side LNG operations for passenger vessels reinforces Las Palmas’ position as a modern alternative fuels bunkering hub in the Mid-Atlantic.
| Fleet Metric | Baleària Operational Footprint |
| Active Dual-Fuel Fleet | 12 vessels equipped with LNG/Bio-LNG engines |
| Canary Islands Investment | €173 million total commitment (€128m for Mercedes Pinto) |
| Regional Connectivity | Connects Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas, and Morro Jable (Fuerteventura) |
| Group Targets | Transition to 100% renewable gas (biomethane/synthetic LNG) and carbon neutrality |
“This operation carried out under full safety protocols marks another forward step in our commitment to sustainable navigation,” the company stated “Establishing a fixed weekly refueling schedule at the ship’s operational berth provides both environmental efficiency and schedule reliability.”
Strategic Consolidation in the Canaries
The deployment and optimized bunkering of the Mercedes Pinto come as Baleària consolidates its position as Spain’s premier ferry operator. Following its acquisition of assets from Armas Trasmediterránea, Baleària manages a combined fleet of more than 50 vessels across the Balearics, Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla, and international routes in North Africa and the Caribbean.
By establishing permanent LNG bunkering procedures in Las Palmas, Baleària sets a regulatory and logistics blueprint for decarbonizing short-sea shipping routes across Atlantic island archipelagos.
About Port of Las Palmas
As the premier maritime crossroads of the Mid-Atlantic, the Port of Las Palmas operates as a vital geostrategic gateway connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Ranking as the second-largest bunkering hub in the Spanish port system, it anchors regional commerce through world-class logistics infrastructure, high-capacity container terminals, and robust ship-repair facilities. By aggressively scaling up its alternative fuel capabilities, including landmark liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations, Las Palmas continues to solidify its leadership as a forward-looking, highly secure maritime powerhouse driving the decarbonization of international shipping lanes.
About Baleària
Baleària is the leading Spanish shipping company in passenger and goods transport to the Balearic Islands and a key operator in the Strait of Gibraltar and international Caribbean routes. A pioneer in the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and sustainable propulsion, Baleària continues to invest in fleet renewal and terminal infrastructure to align with global environmental goals.
Source: Balearia