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.
Go deeper with GlobalData
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.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataFor 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.
