Spanish ferry operator Balearia has carried out its first LNG bunkering operation at the regular berth used by its dual-fuel ferry Mercedes Pinto in the Port of Las Palmas, according to Ship & Bunker.
The bunkering took place at the vessel’s usual mooring point on ramp 4 of the Nelson Mandela dock, according to a Balearia LinkedIn post cited by Ship & Bunker. This eliminates the previous need to move the ferry to a separate berth specifically for LNG refuelling.
Safety Protocols Reviewed Before Operation
According to Ship & Bunker, Balearia confirmed that the LNG transfer was completed without incident after safety protocols were reviewed jointly by the local Fire Department and the Las Palmas Port Authority. The company did not report any operational issues during the bunkering process, as noted in the source material.
Weekly Bunkering Now Part of Routine Operations
Balearia said that LNG bunkering at this regular berth will now be carried out every Monday to refuel the Mercedes Pinto, Ship & Bunker reports. This represents a shift in the vessel’s operational routine, moving LNG supply from an occasional, relocated procedure to a fixed weekly schedule at its standard berth.
Does This Matter to You?
For operators and ports handling LNG-fuelled vessels, this development illustrates how bunkering logistics can be streamlined once safety protocols are established at a vessel’s home berth. Removing the need to shift a ferry to an alternate location for fuelling can reduce turnaround complexity and potentially improve scheduling reliability for port calls.
Port authorities and terminal planners managing LNG infrastructure may also find this relevant, as it shows a working example of integrating regular LNG bunkering into standard berth operations rather than treating it as a specialized, separate procedure. The source material does not provide further detail on broader implications beyond Balearia’s own operations, so any wider industry impact remains unclear based on the information available.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
