Oz gas-fuelled ro-ro order for FSG

FSG says that it has been working intensively with SeaRoad for some time on this project, which can now successfully move into a new phase following the contract signing.

The vessel will be 181m length oa, 26.6m wide, and have more than 1,960 lane-metres available. Service speed will be 20.5 knots. LNG fuelling will be accomplished using mobile tanks taken onboard during regular loading and unloading. FSG has developed a locking system which will enable the tanks, once on board, to be secured and to become the equivalent of fixed tanks.

“On the one hand, our shipyard is to deliver a ship to Australia for the first time ever. On the other hand, this newbuilding demonstrates yet again the high-level competence of our yard and our innovative capabilities,” said Peter Sierk, managing director, FSG.

Claimed to be the first ro-ro ferry of this size with LNG propulsion, the ship will provide a regular liner service between Melbourne and Tasmania. It will boast a flexible cargo carrying capability, carrying containers, including reefer units, trailers, cars and hazardous cargo as well as livestock.

FSG says that she will be the first ro-ro able to transport reefer containers and hazardous cargo side by side, thanks to a new concept developed by the yard.

“LNG operation is currently the cleanest fuel combustion process in existence. The emission of sulphur oxides and dust is almost nil while that of nitrous oxides is also reduced by nearly 100% and that of carbon dioxide by about 20%,” added Mr Sierk.

Construction is set to begin at Flensburg in September 2015, with delivery scheduled for Q3 2016.