EMEA News
Fjord Line Claims World's First LNG Only Cruise Vessel
Norwegian ferry operator Fjord Line today claimed a world's first with the announcement of two new international cruise ferries that will be powered solely by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Fjord Line said the gas power will be more cost-effective than heavy fuel oil as well as giving environmental benefits, helping them meet emissions regulations coming into effect in 2015.
"While other shipping companies base their natural gas operations on "dual fuel engines," Fjord Line is going one step further by using a 'single LNG engine' to reduce emissions and protect the environment," the statement said.
The cruise ferries are under construction at Rissa, Norway based Bergen Group Fosen with the engines being supplied by Rolls-Royce.
Delivery of the first vessel, MS Stavangerfjord, is scheduled for April 2013 with a maiden voyage planned for the following month.
The second vessel "will be ready to sail a few months later."
"Installation of the motors and other technical equipment needed to power the ships with natural gas will extend the construction period. However, going with natural gas from day one will mean we can avoid taking the ships out of operation for three months when the new emission standards come in force in 2015," commented Fjord Line CEO Ingvald Fardal.
"By using only LNG as fuel, the environmental improvement will be significant," he continued, and "in addition to meeting important environmental considerations, natural gas operation will be more cost-effective than heavy fuel oil."
"LNG contains no sulfur or heavy metals. It reduces CO2 emissions by 20-30 percent and emissions of NOx by around 90 percent compared to heavy fuel oil. After 2015 the only alternatives to natural gas will be diesel, or investing in expensive scrubbing technology," Fjord concluded.
