International
Balearia and Fred. Olsen Express launch LNG-powered ferry in Huelva
The shipping companies Baleària and Fred. Olsen Express have launched Nápoles, the first ferry powered by dual fuel LNG engines on the routes that operate between Huelva and the Canary Islands. The launch took place on March 24 in the port of Huelva. The smart ship, which completed its LNG conversion in the shipyards of Gibraltar, will operate these routes in substitution of the Martín i Soler. It has capacity for 1,600 people, 1,430 m.l. of cargo and 53 vehicles, and sails at 23 knots.
The addition of Nápoles is an improvement for the connections between Huelva and the Canary Islands, since it will be the first ship for passengers and cargo on this route that will be able to operate on LNG. The conversion of the ferry involved an important engineering work, including the change to dual fuel engines that allow to navigate both on LNG and fuel oil and the installation of a tank of 200 tons to store LNG, with a range of 1,200 miles and an investment of almost 12 and a half million euros.
On the other hand, technological innovations were made on the ferry to turn it into a smart ship and thus improve the on-board experience of the customers. Among the main novelties, the digitalization of all the signage stands out, as well as the access to the staterooms by means of a QR code that customers receive on their mobile phone and digital entertainment on demand. It has accommodations in armchair and cabin, as well as self-service restaurant, bar and trattoria. In addition, it has an on-board store, a pet area and is adapted for people with reduced mobility (PRM).
The Nápoles is the first of the six ferries that Baleària plans to convert to LNG, in its commitment to the use of this clean fuel in its fleet. In the same way, Baleària has recently incorporated the Hypatia de Alejandría, the first smart ship to sail in the Mediterranean powered by dual fuel LNG engines, and in a few months its twin ship, the Marie Curie will be added.
Baleària is one of the main supporters of sustainable shipping transport and a pioneer in the promotion of natural gas as marine fuel in the Iberian Peninsula, a region that has experienced great growth in the adoption of clean energy mobility. In this extremely encouraging scenario, AltFuels Iberia 2019 will take place on 11-14 June at IFEMA Trade Center, Madrid. It will be an event consisting of first level conferences and exhibition of vehicles of all kinds, refueling stations, components, plants, road and marine engines, as well as the entire universe of the alternative fuels industry with the latest technological developments, multiple options for networking, business and new advances.
