Insotel Marine Group (IMG) has acquired a new vessel for its maritime operations in the Pityusic Islands, with the Australian catamaran Spirit of Kangaroo Island scheduled to enter service between Ibiza and Formentera in summer 2027.

The acquisition will add passenger and vehicle transport capacity to the group's operations on the inter-island route. Before entering service, the vessel will be transported from Australia to the Balearic Islands, where it will undergo adaptation work and registration under the Spanish flag.

The announcement was made on 6 November 2026 and represents another fleet development for IMG, the maritime group behind Trasmapi and other ferry and cargo services in the Balearic Islands.

From Australia to the Balearic Islands

The Spirit of Kangaroo Island previously operated in South Australia, connecting Cape Jervis with Kangaroo Island, a crossing of approximately 10 nautical miles.

The vessel was acquired by IMG from its previous Australian operation and is expected to begin its journey to the Balearics in the coming weeks.

According to the company's announcement, it will be transported aboard a semi-submersible vessel before undergoing the necessary adaptation work for its new operating environment.

The process will also include registration under the Spanish flag before it enters commercial service.

Its planned arrival in the Ibiza–Formentera fleet is scheduled for summer 2027, although an exact entry-into-service date has not yet been announced.

Technical Specifications of the Spirit of Kangaroo Island

Built by Australian shipbuilder Austal at its Henderson facility in Western Australia, the Spirit of Kangaroo Island is an aluminium catamaran designed to transport both passengers and vehicles.

According to the manufacturer's technical specifications, the vessel measures 50.4 metres in length and 17.8 metres in width.

Its principal capacities include:

• Passenger capacity: 244 people.

• Vehicle capacity: Up to 53 cars.

• Alternative cargo configuration: Eight trucks and 18 cars.

• Length: 50.4 metres.

• Width: 17.8 metres.

• Construction material: Aluminium.

• Builder: Austal, Australia.

• Delivery: December 2003.

One of its distinguishing features is its open vehicle deck, which has no height restriction. This allows it to accommodate larger vehicles and different combinations of passenger and freight transport.

The vessel is designed for Ro-Pax operations, meaning it can transport both passengers and vehicles on the same service.

Austal's published technical sheet gives a maximum documented speed of 16.3 knots under specified operating conditions. This is a manufacturer specification, not a confirmed operating speed for its future Ibiza–Formentera service.

A Vessel Previously Operating Between Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island

Before its acquisition, the catamaran served the route between Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

The crossing covers approximately 10 nautical miles, and the vessel previously operated a frequent service, with up to 12 departures per day.

Its experience on this route makes it an established passenger and vehicle ferry rather than a newly constructed vessel.

For its future role in the Pityusic Islands, the ship will require adaptation and Spanish registration before entering service. The company has not yet published the final operating arrangements or confirmed whether its name will remain unchanged.

Reinforcing IMG's Operations Between Ibiza and Formentera

The acquisition forms part of Insotel Marine Group's maritime activities in the Balearic Islands.

The group includes Trasmapi, which operates passenger and vehicle services between the ports of Ibiza and Formentera, as well as Formentera Lines and Formentera Cargo.

It also operates Menorca Lines, connecting Alcúdia in Mallorca with Ciutadella in Menorca.

The new vessel is intended to reinforce the group's passenger and freight transport capacity between Ibiza and Formentera, where maritime connections play an essential role in the movement of residents, visitors, vehicles and goods.

The company has not yet announced the specific timetable, frequency or commercial arrangements that the Spirit of Kangaroo Island will follow once it enters service.

What the New Ferry Means for Ibiza and Formentera

The arrival of the Spirit of Kangaroo Island will add another vessel to the maritime operations serving the Pityusic Islands.

Its ability to transport passengers alongside different vehicle configurations gives it a role in both passenger mobility and freight transport.

The open vehicle deck is also a notable feature, particularly for transporting vehicles that may not fit within conventional height-restricted ferry decks.

However, the acquisition announcement does not confirm whether the new vessel will replace an existing ferry, operate alongside the current fleet or introduce additional departures. Those details will depend on the company's final operational planning.

For now, the confirmed objective is to bring the Australian-built catamaran to the Balearics and prepare it for service on the Ibiza–Formentera connection during summer 2027.