By
Rebecca Gibson |
Incat’s dual-fuel fast ferry Lopez Mena has commenced sea trials in Hobart Tasmania.
The 99-metre vessel’s twin GE LM2500 gas turbine engines were loaded with liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel for the first time on 27 May while the ship was berthed in the wharf, before it was trialled at sea on 30 May.
During the 1,460-tonne displacement trial, Lopez Mena exceeded speeds of 50 knots at full power and maintained 49 knots when operating with 90 per cent power on marine distillate.
Lopez Mena will be operated by Buquebus on the River Plate between Argentina and Uruguay and has the capacity for 1,000 passengers and 150 cars. She is the world’s first dual-fuel, ro-ro ferry to use LNG as the primary fuel.