Elval, the aluminium rolling division of ElvalHalcor, has supplied flat-rolled aluminium for Mercedes Pinto, the latest LNG-powered fast ferry added to the fleet of Baleària. The vessel was built at the Astilleros Armon shipyard in Gijón, Spain.
The Mercedes Pinto follows the successful delivery of its sistership Margarita Salas (2024), also constructed with Elval’s aluminium solutions, highlighting the continuation of a long-standing collaboration between Elval and Astilleros Armon in high-performance marine projects.
Designed with operational efficiency and sustainability at its core, the 123-metre vessel is powered by dual-fuel natural gas engines and features two LNG tanks, offering a range of approximately 470 miles on gas and total autonomy of up to 1,000 miles. The ferry is additionally equipped with batteries to reduce emissions in port. With a capacity of 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles, Mercedes Pinto represents a new generation of fast ferries combining performance, reduced environmental footprint and enhanced passenger experience.
Elval’s tailor-made, flat-rolled aluminium products are engineered to meet the demanding requirements of the marine sector, offering advanced corrosion resistance, durability and weldability. Their application on the Mercedes Pinto project further underlines Elval’s ability to deliver customised aluminium solutions that support lighter vessel designs, improved energy efficiency and lower lifecycle emissions.
Commenting on the project, Konstantinos Kanas, Product Sales Senior Manager at Elval, noted that Elval is at the forefront of innovation in aluminium rolling, and we take pride in having our flat-rolled aluminium play a key role in the advancement of modern and sustainable marine transportation. The Mercedes Pinto vessel exemplifies our commitment to providing custom-made solutions that drive the marine sector's transition towards lighter, durable, and high-performance vessels. In collaboration with our partners, we are actively contributing to a more sustainable future through our expertise and long-term strategic partnerships.” Astilleros Armon, one of Europe’s most respected shipbuilding groups, brings extensive experience in the construction of ferries, offshore support vessels and other specialised ships. Its collaboration with Elval on the Mercedes Pinto reflects a shared focus on integrating innovative technologies with high-quality aluminium structures to set new benchmarks in efficiency and sustainability.
For ElvalHalcor, the project demonstrates the strategic importance of aluminium in marine and transportation markets, where demand for lighter, energy-efficient and environmentally responsible solutions continues to grow. Through continuous investment in technology, R&D and specialised human capital, Elval remains well positioned to support advanced applications across global shipbuilding and sustainable mobility value chains.