China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai is nearing completion of Stena’s LNG-powered ferry Salamanca which will serve French shipping firm Brittany Ferries.
The E-Flexer class ship has completed its gas trials during the weekend and Jinling would now work to prepare the vessel for its delivery to the owner, the yard said in a statement.
It did not provide information on the delivery date.
Jinling launched this LNG-powered ferry in January this year. Also, Sinopec completed the first LNG bunkering operation to the vessel in September, ahead of its sea and gas trials.
This is the second in a batch of three E-Flexer class ships Brittany Ferries chartered from Stena.
Brittany Ferries previously said the LNG-fueled Salamanca would join the fleet in 2022 with the third ship Santona following in 2023.
The new Ro-pax vessels will operate services between the UK and Spain.
In addition, Brittany Ferries and Sweden’s Stena RoRo signed another deal earlier this year for two new LNG-powered ferries, boosting the total to four.
Both of the 194 meters long hybrid vessels will sail on LNG but they will also feature batteries and shore-side power. Jinling will construct these vessels as well.
These vessels will join Brittany Ferries in 2024 and 2025.