UK-based V.Ships, a unit of V.Group, has won a crew management contract for Balearia’s Eleanor Roosevelt, claimed to be the world’s first LNG-powered fast ferry for passengers and cargo.
V.Ships Leisure unit will assume crew management in March when the Spanish Armon Gijon shipyard delivers the vessel.
The ship management firm said in a statement this week the vessel adds to eleven other Balearia vessels for which it already provides crewing services.
To remind, Spain’s Balearia said early January it expects to start using the LNG-powered ferry in March.
The ferry should soon head out for sea trials. It features four Wartsila dual-fuel engines of 8,800kW each, allowing it to reach an operating speed of 35 knots.
Equipped with two LNG storage tanks, the twin-hull catamaran will have an autonomy to sail up to 400 nautical miles.
In the case of combined LNG/diesel propulsion, this increases to 1,900 nautical miles, Balearia previously said.
Furthermore, the Incat-designed ship is 123 meters long with a 28 meters beam. It will have a capacity to welcome 1200 passengers as well as 450 cars.
Balearia said it invested about 90 million euros ($110 million) in this “pioneering smart” ship. Along four conversions, this is the third LNG-powered newbuild in its fleet.
The ferry operator plans to have a fleet of nine LNG-powered vessels by the end of 2021 with a total investment of 380 million euros ($462 million).
