Fjord1 LNG-powered ferry, MF Bergensfjord, dwarfs Norway's first car ferry, MF Bilfergen.
90% reduction in NOx Emissions compared with conventional diesel-operated ferries
12 LNG-powered ferries by end of 2011
The Norwegian transport corporation Fjord1 has entered into a contract with Norwegian-registered Fiskerstrand BLRT AS to plan and construct what is said to be the world’s largest gas-powered ferry. The ferry will run on Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and will be delivered on 30 November 2011 for operation on Bokna Fjord between Arsvågen and Mortavika in Rogaland County. It will also function as a spare vessel for the Halhjem-Sandvikvåg route in Hordaland County.
CEO Leif Øverland of Fjord1 expects a solid reduction of air pollution with the new vessel, with a 90% reduction in NOx emissions compared to conventional diesel operated ferries. “The fact that the government focuses strongly on environment-friendly forms of energy consumption in competitive tendering is something we are very happy about.” Øverland explained that LNG is an attractive alternative fuel not only because it is relatively clean, but also because Norway has an ample supply.
“Emissions of smoke and soot particles will be as good as gone because natural gas is a clean fuel, with virtually all emissions of particles and sulfur removed”, said Managing Director of Fjord1 subsidiary MRF, Anker Grovdal, speaking at a November 2009 naming ceremony of three LNG-powered ferries, in Gdansk, Poland. He pointed out that CO2 reduction will be approximately 20 percent compared with diesel- powered ferries.
The contract for the new ferry was won in a tough European shipyard competition. “We are very pleased to have won such a tough competitive tendering and to know that we can compete with other European shipyards,” says CEO Rolf Fiskerstrand of Fiskerstrand BLRT. Established as a 50/50 joint venture in 2007 by Fiskerstrand Verft AS near Ålesund, Norway and Western Shipyard in Klaipeda, Lithuania, this company is responsible for the shipyard group’s joint focus on shipbuilding and renewable energy projects.
The new LNG-powered ferry is designed by Multi Maritime AS in Førde and will have a total length of 129.9 metres, a maximum width of 19.2 metres and a capacity of 242 cars and/or 22 lorries in combination with cars. It will hold 600 passengers including staff, and shall be built according to Det Norske Veritas’ Class +1A1, Car ferry A, gas fueled, Clean, RPS, EO, R3 (NOR). Its deadweight will be approx. 1300 metric tonnes, and it will be approx. 7000 GRT. The ferry will be equipped with four azimuth thrusters driven by a gas-electric system consisting of three large LNG gas motors and AC generators. The gas motors will give a service speed of approx. 20 knots.
Another of Fjord1's LNG-powered - MF Fennefjord
Following the success of the world’s first ferry to run on natural gas with MF Glutra in 2000, Fjord1 is still the only company using natural gas ferries for vehicle and public transportation with five more large vessels operating the busy links along the busy coastal roads of Norway. Since 2007, the ferry service on Kyststamvegen in Rogaland and Hordaland Counties has been served by five such ferries from Fjord1. This third ferry on the Arsvågen-Mortavika stretch – which will also be a spare ferry between Halhjem and Sandvikvåg – will thus be the sixth gas ferry in this area. Fjord1 will by the end of 2011 have 12 gas ferries in operation along the Norwegian coast, making the company a world leader.
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