• 28 May 2019

The Canadian shipping Group Seaspan Ferries has announced that it will be adding two new LNG-battery hybrid ferries to its fleet in 2021.

Their construction should start in 2019, allowing them to join within two years the first two hybrid LNG ferries of the company, the Seaspan Swift and the Seaspan Reliant, both commissioned in 2016.

The two new ro-ro vessels will be constructed by at the Mangalia Shipyard in Romania - a joint venture between Damen Shipyards Gorinchem B.V. and the Romanian Government -  on the Black Sea coast,  and classified by Bureau Veritas.

Both will have a 149m length, a 209 cubic metres LNG storage onboard and 2MW battery capacity.

Propulsion engines, switchboards, Energy Storage System and LNG storage will be supplied by MAN Energy Solutions and thrusters supplied by Schottel Inc.

Frank Butzelaar, CEO Seaspan Marine Transportation said: “Within their first two years of service, our existing LNG hybrid vessels have operated with emission reductions of over 50% compared to traditional vessels; a large part of which is directly linked to the use of LNG fuel. Expanding our fleet of LNG vessels will allow us to further expand our service offering and reduce emissions at the same time. It’s the right decision for the business and for the environment.”

Seaspan Ferries currently operates a fleet of seven ferries out of four terminals in British Columbia and  services trucking companies that supply all types of cargo to Vancouver Island.

Since introducing these vessels to their fleet, Seaspan Ferries has been able to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining a high level of performance and reliability for its drop-trailer service between its Mainland terminals and Vancouver Island.

Source: Seaspan Ferries