UK's First LNG-Fuelled Ferry Launches

The UK’s first LNG-fuelled passenger ferry was launched November 21 on the River Clyde by Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, but will not enter service for possibly a year.

Scotland’s publicly owned Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) said its 102-metre, roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferry, MV Glen Sannox, is a dual-fuel ship that can operate on LNG or marine gas oil, but said that significantly cleaner LNG will help to reduce emissions and meet ambitious Scottish government targets.

The vessel was launched at Ferguson Marine Engineering's Port Glasgow shipyard (see photo above, courtesy of CMAL). The first of two dual-fuel LNG ferries being built as part of a £97mn ($129mn) contract on behalf of CMAL, MV Glen Sannox can carry 127 cars or 16 HGVs or a combination of both and up to 1,000 passengers.  The vessel is due to be delivered in winter 2018/2019 to CMAL, so will not enter into service before then. During that time, it will be fitted out and fully tested.

CMAL CEO Kevin Hobbs said: “Use of LNG in maritime transport is a sign of our ongoing commitment to exploring new fuel technologies for ferries, as well as a wider commitment to innovation in Scotland and consideration for the environmental impact of transport.” Once ready for service, it will enter the fleet of CalMac ferries operating between the Scottish mainland and Western Isles.