Fincantieri delivers LNG-powered ferry to Canada’s STQ

Canada’s Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) is set to receive its new LNG-powered ferry from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

This latest generation ferry, named F.-A.-Gauthier, is claimed to be the first LNG-powered ferry ever built in Italy and the first of its kind to enter into service in North America.

Constructed at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Naples, the 130m-long vessel is capable of transporting 800 passengers and 180 cars. The new-build will replace STQ’s existing vessel, Camille-Marcoux.

The vessel will be used for multiple services on the Matane-Baie-Comeau-Godbout route, undertaking around 1,600 trips to transport more than 200,000 passengers and 116,000 vehicles a year.

Equipped with a unique integrated diesel electric propulsion system, the vessel has four dual-fuel diesel power generators capable of running on LNG or marine diesel oil (MDO).

The electric propulsion engines operate azimuth thrusters, each equipped with two Countra-Rotating propellers, which together with bow thrusters offer enhanced manoeuvrability.

For this vessel, Wärtsilä provided gas-powered propulsion machinery and equivalent gas storage and handling systems. It will enable the ferry to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 25% and cut sulphur oxide (Sox) and particle emissions to almost zero.

Certified in the highest class designated by international registries, the ferry is also in Ice-class 1A with regards to the hull and propulsion class 1AS.

In July 2012, Fincantieri secured a C$148m ($147.8m) contract from STQ for the construction of this vessel, which was financed by the Government of Québec.