Cap de Barbaria

Cap de Barbaria

CAP DE BARBARIA

Cotenaval develops the engineering of the Cap de Barbaria ship

The Cap de Barbaria ship represents a great technological evolution in maritime communications between Ibiza and Formentera. The ship, designed by Cotenaval for the shipping company Balearia, has been built at the Armón Vigo shipyard.

 

Last May marked an important milestone in Spanish shipbuilding, as the first electric ferry to operate in the Mediterranean was delivered during this month. This is the Cap de Barbaria vessel, a double-ended ferry with electric propulsion that has been conceived and designed entirely by Cotenaval. It is worth noting the Spanish nature of this innovative ship, with a Spanish operator like BALEARIA who strongly supports innovation, a Spanish designer like COTENAVAL who takes on the challenge of designing a ship that meets the innovative requirements of the operator, a Spanish shipyard ARMON committed to meeting the technological requirements of the project, a Spanish power plant supplier like INGETEAM who has been able to integrate and install an innovative electrical system, and a Spanish interior architect like OLIVER DESIGN who has been able to recreate the specific atmosphere envisioned by the operator for this ship. This demonstrates the high technological level and innovation in the Spanish maritime sector. The creation of this ship arises from the need expressed by Balearia to have a custom-designed vessel for the connection between these two islands. The design had to meet various requirements: ensuring excellent maneuverability to reduce maneuvering times in port and ensure maximum safety in port operations, facilitating cargo stowage to expedite loading and unloading operations in the garage, complying with established commercial speeds, minimizing fuel consumption to improve the environmental efficiency of the ship, and having good seakeeping behavior considering that the ship will navigate in open sea, which is not usually common for double-ended vessels. In addition, the goal was to provide spacious and modern accommodation areas for passengers to enjoy a pleasant experience from the moment of embarkation. In the words of the president of BALEARIA, the journey has to become a pleasant experience. Finally, following its innovative approach and commitment to excellence, Balearia was looking for a technologically advanced ship that would minimize its impact on the ecosystem in which it operates, being able to perform the entire operation from approaching the port, berthing, staying in port, and departing until being back in open sea in zero-emission mode, thanks to an innovative and successful battery system fully integrated with the ship’s power and propulsion plant. All these factors were considered in the design of the new Cap de Barbaria ship, and the project developed is now a reality. The ship designed by Cotenaval was executed with great professionalism by Astilleros Armón, once again demonstrating the success of the alliance between these major companies and delivering the ship before the contractual date, meeting all contractual and operational requirements established at the time. The Cap de Barbaria is an 81-meter long ferry with a beam of 15.5 meters, capable of operating at a speed of 14 knots. The design of the ship stands out for being double-ended, allowing it to operate in either direction, greatly streamlining its maneuvering and loading/unloading operations. It is also important to note that, compared to other ships of this configuration that are usually designed to operate in sheltered waters, the Cap de Barbaria has been specifically conceived and designed to operate in open sea, with its behavior in the sea being meticulously studied. This results in a high level of passenger comfort for a ship of these characteristics. It should be emphasized that the ship is the supply route for all the goods that Formentera needs, therefore it must be operational as much as possible, and minimizing possible cancellations that could lead to a shortage of supplies on the island is mandatory. As mentioned earlier, it features an electric propulsion system, enabling the ship to operate without emissions of polluting gases or noise during its port operations, in addition to achieving a 35% improvement in efficiency compared to its predecessor on the route. The ship’s noise and vibration levels are remarkably low in all modes of operation, contributing not only to passenger comfort but also to the fight against noise pollution, which is crucial in environmentally significant areas where the ship will navigate. It is also important to highlight the passenger areas, aiming to create an environment focused on a new concept that is much more environmentally friendly. The emphasis is not on reaching the destination quickly but on enjoying the journey and all the surroundings through which the ship passes. With a capacity of 390 passengers comfortably distributed in spacious and comfortable outdoor areas, recreating the famous Ibiza chill-out ambiance, it also includes more traditional outdoor cafeteria areas and, of course, an interior area for passengers who prefer a more enclosed space or for the winter season. The ship becomes an authentic experience for passengers, allowing them to enjoy the journey and the unbeatable views of the areas it traverses in a relaxed manner. The garage area should also be considered, as it is capable of transporting 14 trucks or 76 cars. It is spacious and has convenient accesses that allow for rapid loading and unloading, optimizing the time spent in port, which is a fundamental element in any route, but particularly in this one. In addition, the garage is designed to transport any type of hazardous cargo, thus ensuring the supply of goods to the island of Formentera. The ship flies the Spanish flag and has been classified by Bureau Veritas. With the Cap de Barbaria ship, maritime communications between Ibiza and Formentera have been revolutionized, setting a new standard in terms of technology, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This milestone demonstrates the leadership of the companies involved in this project in the field of naval engineering and their ability to meet the most demanding demands of the industry. Bringing together all the aforementioned requirements into a coherent project has been a significant challenge that we at COTENAVAL have faced with enthusiasm and determination. The completion of the construction and commissioning of the ship, meeting all expectations and receiving positive feedback from both the professional sector and the general public, fills us with joy and pride. We would like to express our gratitude to each of the parties and individuals involved in this project for their trust in us. This collaboration has been vital in turning a vision into a tangible reality and significantly improving maritime communications in the region. Together, we have overcome challenges and achieved success in this pioneering project.