Canada's First Dual Fuel Vessel Set for Operations on the Great Lakes This Fall

Desgagnés says the asphalt-bitumen-chemical tanker Damia Desgagnés will begin operation on the Great Lakes this fall.

Canadian operator Groupe Desgagnés (Desgagnés) says the asphalt-bitumen-chemical tanker Damia Desgagnés - noted to be Canada's first dual fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered combo carrier - will begin operation on the Great Lakes this fall.

The vessel is said to be capable of burning LNG, heavy fuel oil, or marine diesel oil.

In gas mode, the Damia Desgagnés is expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 25 percent, nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions by more than 85 percent, and enable the "near-complete" elimination of sulfur oxide (SOX) and air particle emissions.

Officially launched at Turkey's Beşiktaş Shipyard on June 11th, 2016, Desgagnés says the vessel is set to hold a CLEANSHIP SUPER notation, indicating it meets strict environmental standards, and a GREEN PASSPORT notation, which ensures safe manipulation and disposal of materials used for construction, maintenance and repair, and dismantlement.

Featuring a Wärtsila 5RT-flex 50DF propulsion engine with a power output of 5,540 kW, the 15,100 DWT Damia Desgagnés has been built to carry up to 13,350 tonnes of asphalt and has a POLAR 7 certification for travel in icy waters.

"The Damia Desgagnés is part of an extensive investment program for the renewal and expansion of the Desgagnés fleet with vessels fitted with cutting-edge technology, which demonstrates Desgagnés' commitment and confidence in its future," said Louis-Marie Beaulieu,  chairman and CEO of Desgagnés.

Hailing a first for merchant vessels in Canada, Beaulieu says all the vessels on order by the company will be powered by dual-fuel engines.

In November, in-line with one of its election platform promises, Canada's Liberal government moved to implement a ban on crude oil tankers along the country's West Coast.