Italy: Ministry of Transport supports deployment of pioneering LNG ferry

Italy: Ministry of Transport supports deployment of pioneering LNG ferry

Gruppo Caronte & Tourist organized the delivery ceremony of the small ro-pax called “Elio”, the first LNG eco-friendly ferry to sail the Mediterranean, in Messina (Italy). The initiative is part of the activity promoted by the Italian Ministry of Transport (MIT) within the GAINN4MOS project. The MIT has coordinated the elaboration of the basic and detailed engineering studies of the ship. The studies have included also all those new aspects that have to be adapted, improved and fine-tuned according to the use of LNG as fuel (such as skills and training needs). After completing the engineering studies, the prototype of this ferry has been built in Sefine shipyard and was delivered in October 2018. This ship, owned by Caronte & Tourist, will be piloted in real life operations in the Strait of Messina, linking Sicily and Italy mainland. “Elio” is a double ended 7 decks ferry designed to operate in EU Class D areas able to carry passengers, private cars, trucks and trailers. The main dimensions (LxBxT) of the ship are 133.6 x 21.5 x 4.5 and she has maximum capacity for 290 private cars, 1500 people and 35 trucks. The main engines are dual fuel (6L34DF) designed by Wartsila with a total power of 9,000 kW. The LNG tanks capacity is about 150 cubic meters. Service and maximum speeds are respectively 12.5 and 15 knots. The ship is Italian flagged and RINA has classed it with Gas Fueled notation (IGF compliant). This is only one of the milestones of the GAINN4MOS project, funded by the Connecting Europe Facility Program (CEF), which aims to improve the Motorways of the Sea network in 6 Member States (Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Portugal and Slovenia) by carrying out engineering studies on ship retrofitting and/or newbuildings, port LNG infrastructures, and bunkering stations throughout pilot projects.

https://www.ngvjournal.com/s1-news/c7-lng-h2-blends/italian-ministry-of-transport-supports-deployment-of-new-lng-powered-ferry/

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