Spanish owner Balearia is ordering a second ship to improve on the world’s first LNG-fuelled fast ferry.
The company is showing its confidence in domestic shipbuilder Armon with the deal.
The new vessel will have dual-fuel gas engines of greater power and efficiency, Balearia said.
The passenger and cargo ropax will have the same dimensions as its sister, the 123-metre Eleanor Roosevelt, which was delivered in 2021 and is the longest fast ferry in the world.
The Eleanor Roosevelt was ordered in 2018 at a cost of €90m ($89m).
The speed and hold capacity of the new unit will be optimised, and there will be an extra passenger deck and an expanded terrace.
Balearia will name the vessel after pioneering biochemist Margarita Salas, with delivery in 2024.
Balearia president Adolfo Utor said: “The construction of this second unit responds to exceptional results of the Eleanor Roosevelt and the commitment to this innovative and eco-efficient prototype.”
Hydrogen-capable
The new ship will have a capacity for 1,200 passengers and 400 vehicles.
The power will be stepped up 10% compared with its sistership, with the installation of four Wartsila dual-fuel engines of 9,600 kW.
The vessel will be able to run on green hydrogen mixtures of up to 25%.
Balearia said that for the past year, it has been forced to reduce the use of LNG due to “skyrocketing” prices, but the firm still considers it a transitional energy.
In March this year, Balearia clinched Spain’s first sustainable loan for shipping.
The €80m syndicated financing led by CaixaBank will help it build a fleet of greener LNG-fuelled vessels.
The ropax specialist already has nine dual-fuel ferries using LNG, and aims to add three more over the next five years.
Clarksons lists a 350-pax Balearia newbuilding on order at Armon for delivery in 2023.
