Baleària has carried out an LNG bunkering operation for its vessel Mercedes Pinto at the ship’s regular berth at the Port of Las Palmas, according to the Spanish ferry company.

The operation, conducted at Ramp 4 of the Nelson Mandela Quay, marked the first time bunkering had taken place at the vessel’s usual mooring; previously, the ship had been required to change berths to carry out the procedure.

The delivery was conducted following a review of all safety protocols by the Las Palmas Fire Department and the Las Palmas Port Authority, Baleària said, adding that going forward, LNG bunkering operations for the Mercedes Pinto are to be conducted weekly, on Mondays.

Baleària operates a fleet of ferries across Spanish coastal and island routes, including services to the Canary Islands, and has been introducing LNG-fuelled vessels as part of its fleet strategy for several years.

As previously reported, Mercedes Pinto was the first vessel ever to be bunkered with LNG in Las Palmas. Christened last month, the 123-metre fast ferry recently entered service on routes linking Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Morro Jable in Fuerteventura. It is Baleària's 12th vessel equipped with dual engines capable of running on LNG and biogas.