Baleària Fast Ferry Receives Port Of Tenerife’s First Multi-Truck LNG Refuel

The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosted this morning its first operation of supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a ship by means of tanker trucks, specifically to the fast ferry Mercedes Pinto of the Baleària shipping group, incorporating the Multi Truck to Ship (MTTS) modality that allows the simultaneous supply of this fuel from several trucks to the tanks of the ship.

The operation began around 12:30 pm at the Anaga Dock pier and was carried out by ESK, SA, the company in charge of providing this service, during which 600 MWh were supplied by two tanker trucks, with a total pumping flow of 700 liters per minute.

The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife already had experience in supplying LNG using the Ship to Ship (STS) method, which allows fuel to be supplied directly between two ships. Now, the Truck to Ship (TTS) and Multi Truck to Ship (MTTS) methods have been added, which allow this supply to be carried out from land using one or more tanker trucks, respectively, thus expanding the available options and adapting to the different operational needs of the ships.

This new modality responds to the need raised by Baleària to have this supply alternative in Tenerife for its eco-efficient vessels and allows the port to advance in a line of work linked to sustainability, innovation and energy transition, facilitating safe and efficient solutions in the face of the evolution of fleets and fuels used by maritime transport.

The implementation of this operation has been made possible thanks to the prior coordination work between the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Baleària, ESK and the other agents and organisations involved, which has allowed us to define and validate a procedure adapted to the characteristics of the pontoon and the receiving vessels, with special attention to risk analysis, action and emergency protocols and coordination and safety measures.

Mercedes Pinto. The Mercedes Pinto, which is 123 meters long, 28 meters wide and has the capacity to transport 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles, reaches a speed of 35 knots and is designed to offer fast, efficient and comfortable navigation.

It is Baleària’s twelfth ship with dual engines prepared to run on natural gas and biogas, a CO₂-neutral fuel, in line with Baleària’s roadmap towards decarbonization.

Press Release