The ferry “Abel Matutes” returns to service with dual engines

The vessel “Abel Matutes” is rejoining the Valencia-Ibiza-Palma route today after the completion of the remotorization works to consume liquefied natural gas. It features two Mak 9M46 dual engines and the installation of two tanks of 178 cubic meters each, allowing it a range of about a thousand nautical miles, complemented by an auxiliary generator also powered by natural gas that was installed in 2007.

After five months of work carried out afloat with the vessel docked at the port of Valencia, it successfully completed sea trials this morning. As we previously reported on puentedemando.com, starting at the end of this month and for the remainder of the summer, it will cover the Huelva-Las Palmas-Tenerife route, replacing the vessel “Nápoles”.

Built at the Lisnave shipyard in Setúbal and completed at Astilleros Barreras in Vigo, the vessel “Abel Matutes” entered service in April 2010. Weighing 29,670 gross tons and 10,863 deadweight tons, it measures 190.50 m in length, 26 m in beam, and 5.30 m in draft. It has capacity for 850 passengers – of which 364 are in cabins – 247 cars, and 2,300 linear meters of rolling cargo. It is powered by two Mak engines totaling 18,000 kW over two shafts and maintains a speed of 21 knots. IMO Code 9441130.

Photo: Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo