The maritime link between Valencia and Palma, one of the main passenger and freight corridors in the Mediterranean , is preparing to take a significant leap towards sustainability. Baleària and the port authorities of both cities have signed an agreement to transform this route into Spain's first green maritime corridor, with the goal of achieving zero-emissions operations by 2030.
The initiative aims to have this connection operational within a decade, using ships powered by biogas, advanced electrical systems, and renewable energy both at sea and in port. The project combines private investment, institutional commitment, and a clear dedication to decarbonizing maritime transport in Spain, particularly along the Mediterranean coast.
A pioneering agreement for a green corridor between Valencia and Palma
The collaboration agreement was signed by the president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor , the president of the Port Authority of Valencia, Mar Chao , and the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, Javier Sanz . The signing took place in Valencia, at an event that brought together representatives of the Valencian Regional Government and the central government, highlighting the strategic importance of the green corridor between the two ports.
The event was attended by Joan Groizard , Secretary of State for Energy at the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, and Benito Núñez , Secretary General for Air and Maritime Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, as well as Susana Camarero , First Vice President of the Valencian Government . This institutional presence reinforces the idea that maritime decarbonization will be addressed through public-private partnerships.
The agreement sets 2030 as the year in which the Valencia-Palma route must operate with zero emissions in operational terms . To achieve this, Baleària will transform the line into a green corridor that combines renewable fuels, ship electrification, and clean energy supply in port. The project aligns with the European Union's climate goals and anticipates regulatory requirements expected by mid-century.
As the shipping company has reiterated, this is a "pioneering" initiative in Spain, which will turn the connection between Valencia and Palma into the first green corridor between two Spanish ports , with the aim of serving as a reference for other national and European routes.
The signing of the agreement also represents a symbolic boost for the relationship between the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands, as it reinforces an essential line for economic, logistical and tourist exchange between the Peninsula and the archipelago.
2030 Target: Zero emissions with biogas, batteries and OPS
The technical focus of the green corridor is the complete decarbonization of the route. Baleària has committed that, by 2030, the two ferries assigned to this service will operate with dual-fuel engines that will exclusively consume renewable biogas , eliminating fossil fuels on this route.
Currently, these engines can run on diesel, natural gas, or renewable gas, but the company's goal is that, from that date onward, the energy used on the Valencia-Palma route will come entirely from biogas . In this way, the shipping company aims to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions from its vessels operating on this route.
Along with the fuel change, the ships will incorporate onboard batteries to provide renewable electricity for auxiliary uses during the voyage, further reducing their environmental impact. This system will complement the use of biogas and optimize the ferries' energy efficiency.
In addition, Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems will be installed on the ships, allowing them to connect to the port's electrical grid while docked . This connection will enable the main and auxiliary engines to be shut down in port, preventing emissions and noise during port calls.
These measures place the green corridor between Valencia and Palma at the forefront of technological innovation applied to European maritime transport , combining renewable fuels, electrification and energy efficiency solutions.
Port infrastructure and the challenge of biogas supply
The success of the green corridor depends not only on ships. The Port Authorities of Valencia and the Balearic Islands have committed to accelerating the construction of infrastructure that will allow for battery charging in port and the supply of low-carbon fuels , as well as the deployment of OPS electrical connections at the docks.
Within this strategy, the electrification of port facilities and the adaptation of terminals will be key to enabling ferries to operate emission-free throughout the entire logistics chain. The project is integrated into Valenciaport's Net Zero Emissions Plan and the decarbonization plans of the Balearic ports, which already operate under strict environmental criteria.
Baleària has raised the need to develop biogas production infrastructure. The company has purchased this biofuel from other European countries, such as Denmark, to ensure the necessary volume for its ships, but acknowledges that large-capacity, dedicated plants would be needed to reliably supply the Valencia-Palma route.
According to the shipping company's calculations, supplying the biogas needed for the two ferries on the route would require renewable gas production facilities valued at around €300 million . Therefore, the company is exploring partnerships with the agricultural sector, particularly in regions like Castile and León, to develop joint projects.
Among the options being considered is the possibility of Baleària becoming involved in the long-term financing of biogas plants in collaboration with livestock farmers and other industries, developing business models that guarantee a stable supply for, for example, 25 years. These aspects are still under study, but they illustrate the scale of the energy challenge associated with the green corridor.
Investments in ships, terminals and electrification
Transforming the Valencia-Palma route into a green corridor entails a significant investment package by Baleària. In recent years, the shipping company has been developing a decarbonization plan exceeding €1.000 billion , encompassing new construction, engine upgrades, and gas supply logistics.
For this specific project, the company plans to allocate resources to both the ships and the port terminals. An additional investment of between 5 and 10 million euros is estimated for onboard batteries alone , to provide the ships with the necessary electrical capacity for auxiliary power consumption.
In parallel, Baleària aims to develop its own self-consumption terminals in the ports of Valencia and Palma, equipped with the charging infrastructure and electrical connections required by the new operating procedures. The company president has estimated the minimum combined investment needed to equip both terminals with these energy capabilities at around €50 million.
In the case of Valencia, the administrative process for building a new terminal has had its ups and downs, following the revocation of a previous concession. Despite this, the shipping company insists that it remains fully confident that the terminal will be operational around 2030 , coinciding with the full implementation of the green corridor.
These investments complement the company's commitment to other sustainable mobility projects, such as the future green line between Tarifa and Tangier , which will be operated with 100% electric fast ferries and will connect two different continents with low emissions. Although it is a separate project, it demonstrates the shipping company's global strategy in the field of energy transition.
A boost to the energy transition and the leadership of the Valencian Community
At the institutional level, the green corridor between Valencia and Palma has been presented as an example of how collaboration between public administrations and businesses can accelerate the energy transition. The First Vice President of the Valencian Government, Susana Camarero , emphasized that this project reinforces the Valencian Community's leadership in sustainable mobility and clean energy.
Camarero emphasized that the connection is not just an improvement to maritime service, but “an investment in the future that unites territories and economies” under a shared vision of progress based on sustainability, innovation, and responsibility. He also noted that the Port of Valencia's activity generates tens of thousands of jobs and represents approximately 2,5% of Valencia's GDP.
For the central government, the corridor is part of a broader strategy to electrify ports and promote renewable energy in maritime transport. The Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard, has emphasized that there are “favorable conditions” for investments in industry and innovation that will help decarbonize port activity and freight traffic.
The president of Valenciaport, Mar Chao, emphasized that this project aligns with the port's roadmap towards Net Zero Emissions , and that major ports worldwide are already competing based on their capacity to reduce emissions and offer cleaner, more efficient logistics chains. In this context, the Valencia-Palma green corridor is seen as a key element for maintaining international competitiveness.
Javier Sanz, president of the Balearic Islands Port Authority, emphasized that protecting the sea and cities is essential for sustainable port development . He noted that the islands' ports have both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead the transition to quieter maritime activities with a lower carbon footprint.
Impact on mobility and projection of the green corridor
The green maritime corridor between Valencia and Palma is set to play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of maritime transport in the western Mediterranean. The route is one of Spain's most important in terms of both passengers and freight, so decarbonizing this line has a direct impact on the sector's environmental performance.
The implementation of biogas-powered vessels, the use of batteries, and the OPS connection in port will allow journeys to be made with near-zero operational emissions , improving air quality in port areas and the urban environment of Valencia and Palma. Furthermore, the noise reduction associated with electrification will contribute to quieter operations.
For passengers and businesses using this connection, the project will mean cleaner mobility without sacrificing competitiveness . The administrations involved insist that sustainability is not seen as a hindrance to trade and tourism, but rather as a necessary condition for their continued growth in the medium and long term.
The green corridor also serves as a practical laboratory for testing solutions that can later be extended to other national or European routes. The experience gained in biogas management, the operation of hybrid vessels, and port electrification will be valuable for future decarbonization projects in the maritime sector.
With an eye toward 2030, the Valencia-Palma route is on track to become an example of how a traditional ferry line can be transformed into a leading green corridor , combining technological innovation, private investment and institutional support to move towards zero-emission maritime transport in Spain.
