Austal has unveiled its study on the application of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for several types of ferries, as an alternative to traditional fuel options in medium and high speed vessels.
Austal’s success is centred on the design and construction of vessels which are customised to the operator’s particular route requirements, and believes that being in a position to build ferries with LNG capabilities will provide operators with greater choice and flexibility in times of increasing environmental regulations.
Austal Technical Manager, James Bennett , commented that Austal has been researching new ferry platforms that combine the advantages of light weight aluminium construction with LNG.
“ Austal is currently studying the capabilities of LNG in three different vessel types, with the ultimate aim of providing ferry operators with the option to choose LNG as an alternative option to traditional fuels .”
“ The pressures from environmental regulation and the increasing cost of diesel will make LNG an increasingly attractive proposition for ferry operators, particularly those operating routes within Emission Control Areas ,” said Mr Bennett.
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Source: Austal, April 11, 2011;