Image credit: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL)

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The UK's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) passenger ferry has been launched this week.

The 102-metre, roll-on/roll-off vehicle passenger ferry, named MV Glen Sannox, is able to operate on both LNG and marine gas oil (MGO).

It is the first of two dual-fuel vessels built for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) at Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited's (FMEL) shipyard on the River Clyde in Glasgow.

Both ships will feature fully integrated Wartsila propulsion machinery packages. Wartsila is supplying each with two six-cylinder Wartsila 34DF main engines, two six-cylinder Wartsila 20DF auxiliary engines, horizontally offset gearboxes, shaft lines, seals and bearings, controllable pitch propeller systems (CPP) including the Wartsila Energopac optimised propulsion and manoeuvring system, tunnel thrusters, the Wartsila LNGPac storage and supply system, plus extended commissioning and engineering. The ships will also feature a twin screw dual-fuel mechanical propulsion driveline.

The LNG tanks supplied by Wartsila to the Glen Sannox are 147 cubic metres in size and were delivered to FMEL's shipyard during the summer.

The new ships are earmarked for the Arran and Skye Triangle routes. The Glen Sannox is due to enter into service during the second half of 2018, with the second vessel scheduled to follow a few months later.

Complex project, innovation and sustainability

Commenting on the project, Jim McColl, chief executive of Clyde Blowers, owner of FMEL, said: "As this is the first ferry in the UK capable of being run on liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil, not only has this been an extremely exciting and ambitious project for both FMEL and CMAL, but it has been an extremely complex one as well."

"FMEL and CMAL have worked closely together on the highly challenging engineering issues arising from the unique nature of the dual fuel ferry project. The experience and knowledge gained during this project will be of enormous benefit to the competitiveness of Scottish shipbuilding in the future as technology continues to develop to meet tightening clean energy legislation."

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of CMAL, said: "We welcome the launch of Glen Sannox, marking a major milestone in the construction of this highly innovative vessel. The use of LNG in maritime transport is a sign of our ongoing commitment to exploring new fuel technologies for ferries, as well as a wider commitment to innovation in Scotland and consideration for the environmental impact of transport."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon remarked: "These state-of-the-art ferries are more sustainable, therefore contributing to Scotland's world-leading climate change goals. They are also capable of carrying more vehicles and benefiting the communities that rely on them."