GNV’s ferry GNV Aurora has completed its first LNG bunkering operation at the Port of Genoa, the company announced on 11 March.

The operation was carried out through collaboration between GNV, the Western Ligurian Sea Port System Authority, the Genoa Harbour Master’s Office and energy partner Axpo Italia. The delivery was performed by the LNG bunker tanker Green Zeebrugge.

GNV Aurora is the second LNG-powered vessel in the GNV fleet, part of the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company group. According to GNV, the vessel represents a new generation of ferries designed to reduce environmental impact and can lower carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50% per transportable unit compared with previous-generation ships.

During a technical meeting held on board the vessel, GNV also announced that the first cold ironing test on one of its ferries will be carried out at the Port of Genoa before the end of summer.

Cold ironing, also known as shore power, allows vessels to connect to the port’s electrical grid while at berth, enabling them to shut down onboard generators and reduce the emission of pollutants during port stays.

GNV described the collaboration between private operators and public port and maritime institutions as fundamental for supporting energy innovation in ports.