Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has won a groundbreaking contract to supply the power for the world’s first fully electric intercontinental fast ferries, marking a significant milestone in global maritime decarbonization.
Spanish ferry operator Baleària will utilize two new catamaran ferries, running solely on electric propulsion for the 18-mile journey connecting Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco. Operating at speeds up to 26 knots, this route represents the first international transport link to be entirely zero-emissions.
“AYK is honored to be selected by Baleària as the provider of this advanced battery solution,” said AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger. “Our high quality, safe and cost-effective solutions will enable Baleària’s ferries to operate with zero emissions and help meet one of the priorities of the Spanish government, namely the decarbonization of transport.”
The LFP Battery Advantage
A core competitive differentiator for AYK Energy is its battery chemistry. The company is one of the few manufacturers producing marine-grade solutions with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology.
AYK emphasizes that the LFP process delivers superior safety, longer lifespan, and consistent capability compared to the more volatile Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries commonly used elsewhere.
Each of the two fast ferries, built by the Armon shipyard, will feature a powerful 13.8 MWh of electric capacity, distributed across four electric propulsion units. These large-scale battery systems will facilitate the transport of 804 passengers and 225 vehicles.
Rapid Recharge and Sustainability Leadership
Pablo Garcia, Baleària’s New Projects Director, highlighted the pioneering nature of the project. “AYK’s advanced battery solutions will enable us for the first time to run an entire route using only electric energy and become a shining example of international transport sustainability,” Garcia said.
The completely decarbonized international journey will not only eliminate noise and vibrations. To maximize operational efficiency, an innovative system of autonomous robotic arms will be installed in both Tangier and Tarifa, allowing the high-capacity batteries to be fully recharged in a rapid 40 minutes.
AYK Energy asserts that this program with Baleària solidifies their ability to address critical customer requirements for environmentally progressive transport as the transition to electric and hybrid vessels accelerates globally.
