The boat will be part of the ECO2 Inland Vessel project, which is focused on developing innovative measures for making the inland shipping sector more economically and environmentally sound. A transition to LNG is widely viewed as being one of the most realistic options for significantly reducing the environmental footprint of marine transportation.

It is perfectly suited for regional and national medium range distribution and night-time deliveries and is being sold throughout Europe, starting from this week. “The natural gas vehicle technology represents a priority for Iveco's activities,” said Alessandro Mortali, Senior Vice President Heavy Range at Iveco. “We are among the few manufacturers to have had the foresight to understand the importance of methane as an alternative energy source”.

Under an agreement between Eidesvik Offshore and Lundin Norway, the new supply ship will be delivered from Kleven Verft 30th of March 2012 and replace Viking Athene, which will be released from duty from the same date. Viking Prince was named in an official ceremony in Aalesund on March 23rd.

Manuel Lage talked about the potential of this fuel and said it will be gaining more popularity and importance in the years to come as many organizations are now investigating the business case and considering different ways of investment and use of this technology. “LNG has a huge future ahead,” he said.