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Spanish ferry operator Baleària has taken a major step in maritime decarbonization by operating three of its vessels exclusively on bio-LNG (biomethane). The renewable fuel is now being used on all services of the Margarita Salas fast ferry and the Abel Matutes ferry, connecting Barcelona–Alcúdia–Ciutadella, as well as on the Rusadir, which sails the Málaga–Melilla route.
Baleària is the first ferry operator in Europe to earn International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) accreditation. The company highlights that bio-LNG produced from animal waste achieves a negative carbon footprint, since its production captures methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
The bio-LNG is sourced from Enagás, which operates regasification plants in Huelva, Barcelona, and Cartagena. These facilities use advanced processes to transform biomethane into CO₂-neutral bio-LNG, delivering a negative carbon balance and greenhouse gas savings of over 200% compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Baleària has secured 132 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of bio-LNG from Enagás. This supply—equivalent to 13% of the LNG consumed by Baleària’s gas-powered fleet in 2024—will allow the three vessels to sail emissions-free until December 2025. The company estimates that the use of this biofuel between September and December alone will prevent the release of 80,300 tonnes of CO₂, comparable to taking 153,500 cars off the road or planting 160,650 trees.
“The use of bio-LNG on our regular routes represents a real and verifiable step forward in our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions,” said Baleària CEO Georges Bassoul. “Our fleet investments in dual-fuel engines now allow us to use this renewable energy, which not only avoids greenhouse gas emissions but also accelerates our decarbonization efforts.”
The company’s ISCC EU certification—recognized by the European Commission and international bodies—guarantees the traceability and sustainability of the biofuels it uses. Through the Proof of Sustainability (PoS) system, the certification verifies the fuels’ origin, volume, and emissions savings.
This latest milestone adds to Baleària’s growing list of environmental credentials, which also includes the Green Maritime Europe label, further cementing its role as a frontrunner in sustainable shipping.
