Baleària will incorporate to the Cap de Barbaria electric ferry the first autonomous container for electricity generation from e-methanol in Europe, manufactured by the Catalan company Methanol Reformer. The eNomad system will be available in the coming weeks and will turn the vessel into an experimental hydrogen laboratory, as it will be the first European ferry to use methanol as an energy vector to produce hydrogen, a key step towards the decarbonization of short sea shipping.
Technology ready to integrate hydrogen on board
The Cap de Barbaria, operating between Eivissa and Formentera from 2023, was designed to integrate a hydrogen system capable of supplying part of the ship’s energy. The eNomad system combines the generation of electricity from hydrogen produced by reforming e-methanol with a modular, compact and autonomous design, capable of operating efficiently in port and maritime environments. Its installation will allow the technology to be validated under real operating conditions.
Evaluation of methanol as an energy carrier
Through this pilot experience, Baleària will be able to analyze methanol as a flexible energy vector, which facilitates storage and allows hydrogen to be generated on site without large infrastructures. The shipping company will evaluate the reduction of emissions, its contribution to the overall energy consumption of the vessel and the scalability of this solution to other routes and vessels of the company.
One more step in Baleària’s decarbonization strategy
In 2023, the Cap de Barbaria became the first electric passenger and cargo ferry in Spain with zero emissions in approaches and stays in port, achieving a 33% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to its predecessor. With this new advance of the BUCEMTO project, financed with Next Generation Funds, Baleària reaffirms its commitment to eco-efficient maritime mobility, integrating natural gas, biofuels, electricity, hydrogen and now methanol in its energy transition. The company has 11 ships with dual natural gas engines, three using bioNGL, and is moving forward on 100% electric routes such as the future Tarifa-Tangier green corridor. In 2024, Baleària reduced its carbon footprint per passenger by almost 10%.
About Methanol Reformer
Methanol Reformer is a Catalan company specialized in sustainable energy solutions, focused on technologies for the generation of hydrogen and electricity from renewable methanol through modular and autonomous systems.
About Baleària
Baleària is the leading shipping group in Spain, with more than 25 years of history and presence in national and international routes. In 2024 it transported 5.6 million passengers and 7.6 million linear meters of cargo, and is a benchmark in sustainability thanks to its commitment to cleaner energies.
