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Balearia reports that its newbuild LNG-powered ferry, the Marie Curie, has hit the water for the first time at the Cantiere Navale Visentini shipyard in Italy. It is one of two dual-fuel, gas-powered ferries being built at the yard, located near Venice.

According to the Spanish ferry operator, more than 50 percent of the Marie Curie's construction has been completed. The vessel's structure has been finished off, and the engines, LNG tanks and main equipment have already been installed.

Meanwhile, construction of the Marie Curie's twin ship, Hypatia de Alejandria, is also nearing completion. Currently, the ferry is in dry dock where an antifouling solution is being applied to the hull.

Sea trials are due to commence thereafter with the ship running on both LNG and traditional marine fuel.

The Hypatia of Alexandria is expected to start operating in the Mediterranean at the beginning of next year, and the Marie Curie a few months later.

Balearia's total investment in the construction of the two ships amounts to EUR 200m, the ferry firm says.

Earlier this month, Balearia also commenced the first of six planned retrofits to LNG propulsion, starting with the ferry Naples.

Overall, Balearia intends to spend EUR 72m on its LNG retrofits - EUR 11.8m of which will be financed by the EU.

In October, Balearia stated that it plans to have at least half of its ferry fleet running on LNG within the next three years, and all of its ships using the gas fuel by 2028.