Methanol Reformer to deliver to Baleària the first autonomous eMethanol power generation container for ferries in Europe

First autonomous eMethanol power generation container for ferries in Europe

From left to right: Jordi Priu (CEO, Methanol Reformer); José Poblet (Director, Cotenaval); Elena Rivera (European Projects & Grants Manager, Baleària); Javier Cervera (Corporate Director of Institutional Relations & Energy Transition, Baleària); Javier Torres (CEO, Methanol Reformer).

  • The e-Nomad system, developed by Methanol Reformer, will generate electricity onboard the electric ferry Cap de Barbaria using hydrogen produced from e-methanol.
  • This is a pioneering project in Europe, transforming the Cap de Barbaria, which operates between Eivissa and Formentera, into an operational laboratory to test and validate hydrogen generation onboard under real navigation conditions.
  • The project highlights the e-Nomad system’s ability to support electrification, integrate renewable fuels, and improve energy efficiency, contributing directly to the decarbonization of short-distance maritime transport.

Methanol Reformer, a catalan company specialized in sustainable energy solutions, will deliver to Baleària the first autonomous e-methanol power generation container in Europe. This initiative positions Baleària as the first ferry operator on the continent to trial this technology on an electric ferry and strengthens Methanol Reformer’s leadership in innovative solutions driving decarbonization and efficiency in maritime transport.

 

Technical Verification and FAT

During the visit of Baleària’s technical team to Methanol Reformer’s facilities, the system underwent technical verification and the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), confirming its proper operation and readiness for shipment to the ferry operator, where commissioning will take place in the coming weeks.
 
 

Clean and Efficient Technology

The container combines electricity generation from hydrogen produced via e-methanol reforming with a modular, compact, and autonomous design, suitable for both port and maritime environments. The electricity generated will support the operation of the electric ferry Cap de Barbaria, complementing battery charging and turning the vessel into a real-life testbed to validate the use of renewable hydrogen onboard under operational conditions.

 The electric ferry Cap de Barbaria

The hydrogen produced by the system will feed a fuel cell generating auxiliary electricity to support battery charging and reduce reliance on conventional generators, lowering fuel consumption and emissions.

The system incorporates the L18 hydrogen generator, manufactured by Methanol Reformer under license from the U.S. company Element1®, in collaboration with E1 Marine for maritime applications. This integration ensures high standards of reliability, safety, and performance.

 

Statements

“We are proud to collaborate with Baleària on this pioneering project, which turns the Cap de Barbaria into a real-life testbed to validate hydrogen generation from e methanol onboard. This initiative demonstrates how technological innovation can transform maritime mobility, boost energy efficiency, and accelerate the decarbonization of short-distance transport,” says Javier Torres, Managing Director of Methanol Reformer.
 
“This compact system allows us to have a small-scale green hydrogen experimental laboratory in a real operational environment on such a sensitive and emblematic route as the one connecting Eivissa and Formentera,” explains Javier Cervera, Corporate Director of Institutional Relations and Energy Transition. “We continue to be pioneers, testing today the technologies that will make zero-emission navigation possible tomorrow.”
 
Towards More Sustainable Maritime Transport
 
With this initiative, Methanol Reformer consolidates its position as a benchmark in sustainable energy solutions for the maritime industry. The project will enable Baleària to evaluate e-methanol as a flexible energy vector for onboard hydrogen generation, a key solution to accelerate the decarbonization of short-distance maritime transport.
 
About Methanol Reformer
 
Methanol Reformer is a catalan company specializing in sustainable energy solutions, focused on developing and commercializing innovative technologies for hydrogen and electricity generation from renewable methanol. Its modular and autonomous solutions help companies in the industrial and transport sectors advance decarbonization, improve energy efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. With a pioneering approach to sustainable mobility and clean energy, Methanol Reformer contributes to accelerating the energy transition in industrial and maritime environments.
 
About Baleària
 
Baleària is Spain’s leading maritime transport group, with more than 25 years of experience in passenger, vehicle, and cargo shipping, operating daily routes connecting the Peninsula with the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Internationally, it operates in Morocco, Algeria, the United States, and the Bahamas. In 2024, the company transported 5.6 million passengers and 7.6 million linear meters of cargo across all routes. The company is recognized as a sustainability benchmark thanks to its pioneering commitment to eco-efficient mobility using cleaner energy sources to advance decarbonization.
Contact:

 

Methanol Reformer

Sonia Netto | Communication & Marketing

www.methanolreformer.com | info@methanolreformer.es

Press Release

Related posts