Flensburger-Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) and SeaRoad have been working intensively over the past years on this project which can now successfully move on into a new phase with the signing of a contract. It will be the first ship of its kind for FSG to be powered by eco-friendly LNG rather than by diesel or HFO. Construction is expected to begin at FSG on Flensburg’s Batteriestrasse in September 2015 and delivery is planned by the third quarter of 2016.
“On the one hand, our shipyard is to deliver a ship to Australia for the first time ever. On the other hand, this new building demonstrates yet again the competence of our yard and our capabilities. We are very proud that SeaRoad has chosen us. We look forward to continuing the good and intensive cooperation we already enjoy with them and which has been characterized over the time by great trust, professionalism and by our mutual focus on finding innovative solutions,” said FSG Managing Director Peter Sierk.
The ferry will be 181 meters long and 26.6 meters wide. Its speed will be 20.5 knots. The LNG will be taken on board the ship in mobile tanks during regular ship loading and unloading. Once on board, the tanks will be secured and become fixed ship fuel tanks without the need for any transshipment thanks to a special locking system also developed by FSG. “LNG operation is currently the cleanest fuel combustion process in existence”, added Sierk.
The world’s first RoRo ferry of this size with LNG propulsion is designed to provide future regular liner service between Melbourne on the Australian mainland and Devonport on the island of Tasmania. It will boast a particularly flexible cargo carrying capability and be in a position to transport containers, including reefer units, trailers, cars and hazardous cargo as well as live animals. Besides, it will be the first RoRo ferry in the world able to transport reefer containers and hazardous cargo side by side.
Source: FSG
