ferry Sicilia Balearia
ferry Sicilia
âš“ The Sicilia is one of the most versatile ferries in the Baleària fleet, a smart ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with room for 1,000 passengers and 481 vehicles. She works mainly on the Huelva–Gran Canaria–Tenerife route, the triangular service linking mainland Spain with the Canary Islands in partnership with Fred. Olsen, and she is one of the best-equipped long-distance passenger and freight ships covering that route, with up to three or four sailings a week.
The Sicilia was built in 2002 at the Cantieri Navali Visentini Francesco & C. shipyard in Porto Viro (Italy), as the yard's hull number 195. She is the sister ship of the Nápoles (hull number 194), with which she shares length, propulsion and overall design. She originally sailed under the name "Trinacria" before joining the Baleària fleet, which bought her outright in 2018. In 2020 she underwent a full re-engining to LNG at the Portuguese yard West Sea in Viana do Castelo, becoming the sixth ship in the Baleària fleet able to sail on natural gas.
Taking advantage of the re-engining, the Sicilia was turned into a smart ship: her passenger facilities were modernised and sensors were fitted to monitor fuel consumption and emissions in real time, making her the second ship in the fleet to carry this system, part of the European Green and Connected Ports project, 50% co-financed by the European Union's CEF Transport funds.
History and background of the ship
The Sicilia was built at the Visentini shipyard in Porto Viro (hull number 194) under the name Trinacria and delivered on 15 November 2002 to TTT Lines of Naples, which put her into service in December on the Naples–Catania routes alongside her sister ship Partenope — today Baleària's Nápoles. In April 2015 she was sold along with the Partenope to Stena RoRo, and in May both were chartered to Baleària, which renamed her Sicilia.
Since joining the Baleària fleet, the Sicilia has covered a wide range of routes: the Strait of Gibraltar (Algeciras–Tanger Med), the links from Barcelona and Valencia to the Balearic Islands, and the Huelva–Canary Islands route. From 8 June 2026, after several months in the Balearics, she was assigned to the inter-island Canary services between Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Arrecife (Lanzarote), establishing herself as one of Baleària's mainstay ships in the Canary archipelago — a high-demand corridor carrying millions of passengers a year and a cornerstone of travel between the islands.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Combined passenger/vehicle ferry (Ro-Pax) |
| Length overall | 186.2 m |
| Beam | 25.6 m |
| Draught | 6.2 m |
| Service speed | ~22 knots |
| Maximum speed | 24 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 1,000 people (308 in cabins) |
| Vehicle capacity | 481 vehicles / ~2,050 lane metres |
| Propulsion | 2 dual-fuel MAN 9L51/60DF engines (LNG + diesel/fuel oil) · 18,900 kW in total |
| LNG tank | 425 m³ capacity |
| Range on gas | ~1,100 nautical miles |
| Gross tonnage | 24,409 GT |
| Building shipyard | Cantieri Navali Visentini Francesco & C. (Porto Viro, Italy) · hull number 195 |
| Year built | 2002 |
| Original name | Trinacria |
| Re-engined to LNG | 2020 · West Sea shipyard, Viana do Castelo (Portugal) |
| Flag | Cyprus |
| IMO number | 9261542 |
| Classification | Smart ship · Pet friendly · Adapted for reduced mobility · More sustainable |
| Sister ship | Nápoles (IMO 9243423) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual frequency* |
|---|---|---|
| Huelva → Gran Canaria | ~36 h | 3–4 sailings/week |
| Huelva → Tenerife | ~39 h | 3–4 sailings/week |
| Gran Canaria → Huelva | ~36 h | 3–4 sailings/week |
| Tenerife → Huelva | ~39 h | 3–4 sailings/week |
* The Sicilia works in partnership with Fred. Olsen on the triangular Huelva–Gran Canaria–Tenerife route. Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact time in our search engine.
The port of Huelva (Palos de la Frontera): how to get there and what to bear in mind
The Sicilia sails from the Huelva Outer Port, in the municipality of Palos de la Frontera, about 12 km from the centre of Huelva. This harbour, known historically as the starting point of Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas in 1492, is today the main maritime link between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands.
If you are coming from Seville, the drive takes roughly 1 hour. From Madrid, the usual approach is the A-49 to Huelva and then the H-624 to the quay. We recommend arriving at the port at least 2 hours beforehand if you are travelling by car, as this is a long-distance crossing with a heavy volume of freight traffic. For foot passengers, 60 minutes is enough.
Which accommodation should you choose on the Sicilia?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Standard seat |
| Looking for more comfort and privacy on a long crossing | Superior seat (exclusive lounge) |
| As a couple or with children, wanting a proper rest | Inside or outside cabin |
| With reduced mobility | Adapted accessible cabin |
| With a pet | Cabin + pet place |
| As a large family group | Four-berth cabin |
Fares, discounts and how to book
A standard seat on the Huelva–Gran Canaria route starts at roughly €112 each way in mid season. Inside cabins work out at an indicative €150–200 per person. A return trip in a seat averages around €224, and around €602 on average for a return with a vehicle included.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: a special discount off the base fare. It is the most significant discount on this route and is claimed with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento) in the Canary Islands.
- Large family: reduced fare for holders of a recognised large family card. Check availability when you book.
- Carnet Joven (youth card): reduced fare for passengers aged 14 to 30.
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Collect points on every trip and redeem them for discounts on future bookings.
The Huelva–Canary Islands route is run in partnership with Fred. Olsen and some Baleària-only promotions do not apply. You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
ferry Sicilia · Accommodations
Standard seat · Tourist class
The cheapest option on the ship. Reclining seats in a shared lounge, with access to every part of the vessel. Perfect for travellers who put price first on a long-distance crossing.
✓ Reclining seat
✓ SmartB Wi-Fi on board
✓ On-demand digital entertainment
✓ Access to every area of the ship
Superior seat · Exclusive lounge
Seats in a lounge reserved exclusively for passengers in this class. More space between seats and a quieter atmosphere than the standard seat. The best option if you want privacy without going as far as a cabin.
✓ Exclusive lounge access
✓ More space between seats
✓ SmartB Wi-Fi on board
✓ On-demand digital entertainment
Cabin · Inside and outside
The most comfortable and private accommodation on board, ideal for crossings of 36–39 hours. The Sicilia has two- and four-berth cabins with a full bathroom. Bed linen, towels and toiletries are included. The smart TV in the cabin is one of the extras that came with the conversion to a smart ship.
✓ Private room with a lock
✓ Full bathroom with shower
✓ Bed linen, towels and toiletries included
✓ Private smart TV
✓ Available with two or four berths
Adapted cabin · Reduced mobility
A cabin designed and equipped for passengers with reduced mobility. It has extra room for a wheelchair, grab rails and adapted entrances. The Sicilia is certified as adapted for passengers with reduced mobility.
✓ Space adapted for a wheelchair
✓ Grab rails in the bathroom
✓ Accessible entrances from the deck
✓ Full adapted bathroom
ferry Sicilia · On-board services
Restaurant, café and places to eat
The Sicilia has two permanent places to eat open all year round: a self-service restaurant with a wide choice of hot and cold dishes, and a bar-café serving drinks and snacks. In high season an open-air bar-café is added on deck and, on special occasions, an à la carte restaurant and a barbecue on the outdoor terrace are opened up.
Outdoor terrace and sun deck · Swimming pool
The Sicilia has an outdoor terrace with a sun deck and swimming pool, one of the best-loved facilities on the long crossings to the Canary Islands. The perfect spot to enjoy the Atlantic in the sunshine during the days at sea, especially in summer.
Children's area
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Sicilia is certified as a vessel adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. She has cabins designed specifically for them, with room for a wheelchair, grab rails, an adapted bathroom and easy access from the passenger decks. If you have any particular requirements, we recommend contacting Baleària before you book so that the best possible assistance can be arranged on board.
Connectivity and digital entertainment — SmartB
The Sicilia is a Baleària smart ship. After her re-engining in 2020, she was fitted out with the full range of digital services on the SmartB platform:
- Wi-Fi on board throughout the crossing
- Free WhatsApp, without using up your own data allowance
- On-demand digital entertainment: films, series, books and magazines from smartbalearia.com
- Digital newspapers and magazines through the content platform
- Smart TV in the cabins
- Real-time monitoring sensors for fuel consumption and emissions, part of the European Green and Connected Ports project
Sustainability: the Sicilia and LNG
Re-engining the Sicilia in 2020 amounted to a radical environmental overhaul. Her new dual-fuel MAN 9L51/60DF engines allow her to sail on natural gas, with the following environmental gain compared with conventional diesel propulsion:
−30%
COâ‚‚ emissions
−85%
NOx emissions
−100%
Sulphur and particulates
In concrete terms, re-engining the Sicilia saves 9,100 tonnes of COâ‚‚ a year, the equivalent of taking some 6,000 conventional cars off the road or planting roughly 18,000 trees. The 425 m³ LNG tank gives her a range of 1,100 nautical miles on gas. The engines are dual-fuel, so they can also run on diesel or fuel oil if need be.
The Sicilia also carries a system of sensors monitoring fuel consumption and emissions in real time, making her the second ship in the Baleària fleet to have one. It forms part of the European Green and Connected Ports project, 50% co-financed by EU CEF Transport funds, as the first phase of the future fleet Control Tower.
Sicilia and Nápoles: Baleària's two Visentini sisters
The Sicilia and the Nápoles are the two most similar ships in the Baleària fleet: all but identical sisters, built in the same year (2002) at the same shipyard (Visentini, Porto Viro), the Nápoles as hull number 194 and the Sicilia as hull number 195. Here is what they share and what sets them apart:
| Feature | Sicilia | Nápoles |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 186.2 m | 186 m |
| Year built | 2002 | 2002 |
| Shipyard | Visentini (hull 195) | Visentini (hull 194) |
| IMO | 9261542 | 9243423 |
| Propulsion | LNG + diesel/fuel oil | LNG + diesel/fuel oil |
| Passenger capacity | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Smart ship | Yes | Yes |
| Original name | Trinacria | Nápoles |
Frequently asked questions about the Sicilia ferry
Which routes does Baleària's Sicilia ferry operate?
She works mainly on the triangular Huelva–Gran Canaria–Tenerife route in partnership with Fred. Olsen. She has also worked occasionally on Mediterranean routes (Barcelona–Ibiza, Málaga–Melilla) depending on what the fleet needs.
How long does the ferry from Huelva to the Canary Islands take?
The Huelva–Gran Canaria crossing takes roughly 36 hours. Going on to Tenerife takes roughly 39 hours. Times can vary with the weather.
How often does the Sicilia sail from Huelva to the Canary Islands?
The route normally runs with 3 sailings a week from Huelva (usually Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays). In high season this can rise to 4 sailings a week. Confirm the exact time in our search engine.
Does the Sicilia carry cars?
Yes. She has vehicle decks for 481 vehicles and roughly 2,050 lane metres of freight. If you are travelling by car, arrive at the port at least 2 hours beforehand.
What accommodation does the Sicilia offer?
Four types: the standard seat (tourist class, the cheapest), the Superior seat (an exclusive lounge with more space), the cabin, inside or outside (private, with a full bathroom, in two- or four-berth layout) and the adapted accessible cabin for passengers with reduced mobility.
Is there Wi-Fi on the Sicilia?
Yes. The Sicilia is a Baleària smart ship with Wi-Fi on board, free WhatsApp and access to the SmartB platform of digital entertainment (films, series, books, newspapers). The cabins have a smart TV.
Are pets allowed on the Sicilia?
Yes. The Sicilia is a pet-friendly ship with a dedicated area for animals. You need to book a pet place when you buy your ticket. Check Baleària's conditions on permitted breeds and weights for long-distance crossings.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. The Sicilia is certified as a vessel adapted for reduced mobility. She has adapted cabins with room for a wheelchair, grab rails and an adapted bathroom. Contact Baleària before booking to request tailored assistance.
Is there a swimming pool on the Sicilia?
Yes. The Sicilia has a swimming pool and sun deck on the open deck. It is one of the best-loved facilities on the long crossings to the Canary Islands, especially in the summer months.
What fuel does the Sicilia use?
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), following her re-engining in 2020. Her dual-fuel MAN 9L51/60DF engines can also run on diesel or fuel oil. It cuts COâ‚‚ by 30% and NOx by 85%, and eliminates sulphur and particulate emissions. Range on gas: 1,100 nautical miles.
How much does a Huelva–Canary Islands ticket cost on the Sicilia?
A standard seat starts at roughly €112 each way in mid season. A return without a vehicle averages around €224. With a vehicle, a return averages around €602. Canary Islands residents and large families get special discounts. Compare real-time prices here.
Is there a Canary Islands resident discount on the Sicilia?
Yes. Residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to special fares, on production of a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento). There are also discounts for large families and for young people (the Carnet Joven youth card, for ages 14–30).
How early should I arrive at the port of Huelva?
By car: at least 2 hours beforehand. Foot passengers: 60 minutes is enough. The port is at Palos de la Frontera, about 12 km from the centre of Huelva. In high season it is worth allowing extra time.
When was the Sicilia re-engined to LNG?
Work began in February 2020 at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo (Portugal) and was completed in August 2020. She was the sixth ship in the Baleària fleet to take on LNG propulsion and the second to be fitted with real-time monitoring sensors.
What is the difference between the Sicilia and the Nápoles?
They are all but identical sisters, built in the same year (2002) at the same shipyard (Visentini). The Nápoles is hull number 194 and the Sicilia hull number 195. Both are 186 m long, carry 1,000 passengers, have dual-fuel LNG propulsion and are smart ships. The differences come down to fine technical refinements between consecutive hulls from the same yard.
