en.Wedoany.com Reported - Baleària Canarias has announced the official delivery and entry into service of its new eco-efficient high-speed ferry, the *Mercedes Pinto*. The vessel has been operating since June 5 on routes connecting Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Morro Jable. The ship's godmother is Antonia Varela, a PhD in astrophysics, researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, CEO of the Fundación Starlight, and director of the Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos de Tenerife.
Baleària invested €128 million in the vessel. It will operate alongside the high-speed ferries *Volcán del Taidía* and *Volcán del Tagoro*. Currently, there are six daily services between Las Palmas and Santa Cruz, three between Morro Jable and Las Palmas, and two between Morro Jable and Tenerife, with direct sailings taking just over four hours.
The *Mercedes Pinto* measures 123 meters in length and 28 meters in width, with a capacity for 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles, and a cruising speed of 35 knots. Designed as a smart ship, its standout features include digital services and cabins optimized for maximum comfort.
The vessel is also equipped with stabilization systems to enhance sailing comfort and can monitor fuel consumption and emissions in real time, thereby improving operational efficiency. It is the 12th ship in Baleària's fleet to feature dual-fuel engines, capable of running on natural gas and biogas (a zero-CO2-emission fuel), in line with the company's decarbonization roadmap.
The entry into service of this vessel marks a new step for Baleària Canarias following its acquisition of Armas Trasmediterránea. The company also plans to introduce other ships, including the high-speed ferry *Pepita Castellví* to strengthen connections between the western islands, and the new ro-ro vessel *Josefina de la Torre* to increase freight capacity with mainland Spain.
These new vessels are part of Baleària Canarias' expansion plan, aimed at consolidating its position in the archipelago and enhancing maritime connectivity through a network of 12 ships. To this end, the company expects to invest €45 million over the next three years to modernize the fleet operating in the Canary Islands.
Attendees at the presentation event included Fernando Clavijo, President of the Government of the Canary Islands; officials from the Canary Islands government; presidents of island councils; mayors; councilors; port authority officials; customers; suppliers; and other stakeholders. Baleària President Adolfo Utor highlighted the company's seven years of operational experience in the Canary Islands, stating that this journey demonstrates its understanding of and commitment to the archipelago's connectivity.
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