Leading Spanish ferry operator, Baleària has launched a DataHub challenge, together with Google Cloud and Sngular.
This is aimed at developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model capable of predicting future demand and recommending in real time the best fare for each passenger and vehicle for the ferry services.
This will be achieved by utilising:
*With real data: occupancy, prices, promotions, weather, etc.
*With the best of Google Cloud, Vertex AI and BigQuery.
*With Data, Cloud and Devs teams, guided by Sngular and Google.
The challenge will be held at Marina de Empresas from 17th to 31st October. The registration is open until 10th October.
Baleària also announced that it had launched the ‘Mercedes Pinto’, a 123 m dual-fuel ropax fast ferry, designed by Incat Crowther, at Astilleros Armon Gijon shipard in Spain.
This vessel is the third in a series following ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’ and ‘Margarita Salas’, also built by Astilleros Armon.
Work on ‘Mercedes Pinto’s’ interior will continue before sea trials scheduled for early 2026.
Mercedes Pinto will have a capacity for 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles. The vessel will also incorporate design updates, compared to ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’, such as an additional passenger deck, an enlarged aft terrace with outdoor bar service, a re-designed atrium, improved VIP lounge seating, and expanded crew facilities.
She will also offer two decks of lounge seating, multiple cafeterias, a children’s area, free internet, a digital entertainment platform, and a pet surveillance system.
The ropax will be powered by dual-fuel natural gas engines, which will be able to operate on 100% biomethane or up to 25% green hydrogen blends. She will also be fitted with energy efficiency systems, smart sensors, emissions monitoring technology, and upgraded navigation systems.
Baleària President, Adolfo Utor, said: “The addition of ‘Mercedes Pinto’ to our fleet of state-of-the-art ropax fast ferries highlights Baleària’s commitment to pioneering innovation, advancing sustainability and setting new standards in customer experience.”
Incat Crowther’s Technical Manager, Dan Mace, added: “’Mercedes Pinto’ is the fifth large ropax fast ferry Incat Crowther has designed for Baleària in the last six years and represents a continuation of our team’s strong commitment to support Baleària and Astilleros Armon.”
