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The LNG bunkering operation for a test run of what is set to be Australia's first LNG-fuelled ferry took place recently in Odense, Denmark.

At the end of September, LNG fuel supplier Bomin Linde LNG carried out the refuelling of the Searoad Mersey II ro-ro ferry, which is currently under construction at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) shipyard in Flensburg, Germany.

After the vessel was bunkered with LNG in Odense, it then sailed on a test run back to Flensburg.

Bomin Linde LNG says it carried out the planning, preparation and implementation of the bunkering operation. This included obtaining the required permits from the port, technical consulting and coordination of the participating parties on site.

The tank system of the ferry is equipped with four dual-fuel engines (two main engines, two gensets). It does not have its own LNG tanks, but utilizes LNG trailers that are connected to the drive system after being filled with liquefied natural gas. For this new fuelling system, Bomin Linde LNG says it has created bunker guidelines and safety procedures tailored to international regulations.

"The new tanker-to-tanker process went smoothly and is thus an additional option for using LNG for marine propulsion," commented Gunter Eiermann, Technical Director at Bomin Linde LNG. "Following the successful start, I am especially looking forward to further cooperation with Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft."

Holger Jacobs, project engineer at FSG, said: "Bomin Linde LNG gives us flexible full service in supplying LNG for initial fuelling. With the fuelling of the Searoad Mersey II, our long-term cooperation has begun very successfully. We are already in negotiations for additional newbuildings."

The Searoad Mersey II is set to be Australia's first ro-ro ferry with LNG propulsion. Once the construction of the vessel is completed, it has been scheduled to operate between Tasmania and Melbourne.

Earlier this month, Bunker Index reported that Australia's first LNG-fuelled support vessel had been bunkered in Amsterdam. The ship is currently on its way to Port Dampier, Western Australia, where it is to operate as part of the Woodside Energy fleet in 2017.

In October, Bomin confirmed the sale of its shareholding in Bomin Linde LNG. The company's 50 percent stake in Bomin Linde LNG, which was established in 2012 with joint venture partner Linde AG, was acquired by Linde AG. It now owns all the shares in the business.