Image: Houlder

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Engineering and design company Houlder Ltd on Friday hailed the launch of the UK's first LNG-fuelled passenger ferry, the Glen Sannox, which took place earlier this week.

The UK-headquartered firm worked on the class-level design of the new vessel, and it is one of several LNG-related projects that Houlder has been involved in.

"Always exciting to see the results of Houlder innovation, design and expertise in action. #GlenSannox New #ship for Caledonian MacBrayne #CalMac," Houlder said in a tweet.

Launched on Tuesday on the River Clyde, Glasgow, the Glen Sannox is a 102-metre, roll-on/roll-off vehicle passenger ferry that 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.

Other Houlder projects include being granted a plan approval contract for two new LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) for Siem Shipping, and developing its own range of bunkering barge and vessel designs and handling and transfer equipment.

Earlier this month, Houlder explained that the work it has put into developing small-scale LNG (ssLNG) solutions reflects the confidence it has in the sector.

"Houlder thrives in new industries as demonstrated by our impact on North Sea oil and gas and, more recently, our innovations in offshore wind. Our engineering and design teams love the challenge of designing new infrastructure," Neil Ferguson, Houlder's LNG Storage and Distribution Director, said in reference to the ssLNG sector.