In what is said to be a first for Europe, Baleària is set to integrate e-methanol power generation aboard its electric ferry Cap de Barbaria. The eNomad system, developed by Catalan sustainable energy specialist Methanol Reformer, will produce renewable hydrogen from methanol to generate auxiliary electrical energy.
The system will transform the ferry, which operates between Ibiza and Formentera, into a real-world hydrogen research laboratory. “This compact equipment enables us to run a small-scale green hydrogen experimental laboratory in a real operating environment and on a route as sensitive and iconic as the one linking Ibiza and Formentera,” said Javier Cervera, Baleària’s corporate director of institutional relations and the energy transition. “Today, we are once again pioneers, testing the technologies that will make tomorrow’s zero-emission navigation possible.”
The eNomad system combines electricity generation from hydrogen – produced by reforming e-methanol – with a modular, autonomous design suited for port and maritime environments. The hydrogen will power a fuel cell to produce auxiliary electricity, supporting battery recharging and reducing reliance on conventional generators. This approach aims to cut fuel consumption and emissions while validating performance under real operating conditions.
Through this pilot, Baleària will assess methanol’s potential as a flexible energy vector for maritime transportation, offering easy storage and on-site hydrogen generation without large-scale infrastructure. “We are proud to be collaborating with Baleària on this project, which demonstrates how technological innovation can transform maritime mobility and contribute to a more sustainable energy future,” said Javier Torres, the CEO of Methanol Reformer.
The initiative forms part of Baleària’s broader decarbonization strategy, which includes natural gas, biofuels, electrification and hydrogen technologies. In 2024, the company reported that it had reduced its carbon footprint per passenger by nearly 10%, reinforcing its commitment to zero-emission navigation.
In related news, Rolls-Royce successfully tests first pure methanol marine engine