Americas News
First North American LNG Ferry Planned
The first North American ferry to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) will use a Wärtsilä propulsion system, the company says.
The ferry, ordered by Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), will be used on routes crossing the St. Lawrence River.
The ferry will use Wärtsilä 34 dual-fuel generating sets, which can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to 85 percent below current International Maritime Organisation (IMO) rules, drop carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by a quarter compared with conventional diesel fuel engines, and reduce sulfur oxide (Sox) and particle emissions to close to zero percent.
Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani in Italy is building the vessel, which is set to be delivered by the end of 2014, with Wärtsilä providing the propulsion equipment in fall of 2013.
The engine will help the ferry meet emissions rules for the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA), where limits on sulfur emissions are scheduled to drop to 0.1 percent in 2015.
Another Canadian ferry operator, BC Ferries, said last month that converting to LNG bunkers could cut its fuel cost in half.
Rolls-Royce also announced last week that it is working with Lauro Shipping of Italy to design new gas-powered passenger ferries.
