One of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world is set to embark on a new adventure by building an LNG and battery-powered ferry. The ship will be entirely constructed in Sicily, Maritime Executive reports
The ferry is a Ropax Class A vessel at 14,500 gross tons. The ship will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and even more unique is a battery system on board that will be used to store energy. This will be used when the ferry is in port to ensure zero emissions. The ship will carry 1,000 passengers and can transport up to 200 vehicles.
Italian-based Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding companies.It has over 230 years of experience in ship building and has built more than 7,000 ships. The company also specializes in ship repair and conversions. Fincantieri also has a place in the history books. It produced the transatlantic liner Rex, which holds the record for the fastest transatlantic passenger ship crossing.
CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero, says the awarding of this order represents an essential test for Fincantieri. “In an industrial sector that over time has moved to Asian shipyards, we have the opportunity to bring ferry production back to Italy, rehabilitate our historical competencies in the sector, and demonstrate our ability to be competitive while ensuring the highest production standards, with benefits in terms of operations and sustainability that will reach the end user,” he says.
The company’s inspiration for this ship build is technologies for reducing environmental impact. and intercepting the energy transition needs. These initiatives are destined to outline the maritime transport sector in years to come.
Fincantieri building sustainable ships
Building LNG vessels is nothing new for Fincantieri. In March 2023, the company announced the plans to build the LNG cruise ship, Sun Princess. The vessel will be delivered in 2024 to Princess Cruises and is currently the largest ship being built by Fincantieri. “LNG is the marine industry’s most environmentally friendly advanced fuel technology and the world’s cleanest fossil fuel, which will significantly reduce air emissions and marine gas oil usage,” the company says in a statement.
Global shipyards are catching on to the LNG vessel trend. According to the Financial Times, the worldwide orders reached 163 last year, with the vessel’s construction costing close to $260 million. Second-hand LNG vessels are going at a high price tag.
The leading shipbuilder is even doing hydrogen-powered vessels, with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) confirming two cruise line orders for its luxury brand Explora Journeys. These two vessels can use alternative fuels such as bio, synthetic gas, and methanol.
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Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
