By
Rebecca Gibson |
STX France is to construct a £225 million cruise-ferry, which will run primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel, for Brittany Ferries.
Brittany Ferries ordered the ferry after completing a two-year study with STX France to determine the feasibility of powering a cruise-ferry by LNG. The newbuild will be built at STX France’s St Nazaire yard and is scheduled to enter service in late spring 2017.
Operating primarily on LNG fuel, the 25,500 gt ferry will emit around 25% less carbon dioxide and less nitrogen oxide during combustion than marine fuel oil, while the fuel is sulphur-free. The ship will also have the capacity to run on traditional marine gas oil if necessary.
“This represents a huge investment which will benefit not simply our customers but the environment as well,” said Mike Bevens, group commercial director, Brittany Ferries. “This addition to our fleet will incorporate all the best features of our other vessels so as to provide our customers with a truly exceptional experience. No other ferry in the UK will come close to offering this new ship’s range of facilities and its launch will mark the beginning of a new era in ferry travel.”
Replacing the line’s current flagship Pont-Aven – which will move to the Portsmouth-St Malo route – the newbuild will operate on the longer routes between UK and Spain. The 2,474-passenger vessel will feature an indoor swimming pool, two cinemas, three bars, restaurants, pet kennels and 30 pet-friendly cabins. She will offer the latest technology, free wifi throughout the ship, a reading lounge, an observation area and a spa treatment room with panoramic views. Young passengers can also enjoy two children’s play areas and a teenager zone.