By
Rebecca Gibson |
Finland-based Navis Engineering supplied its dynamic position technology for a new dual-fuel passenger ferry that will be operated by Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) in Canada.
The ferry, which was built at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia yard in Italy, was fitted with an advanced Navis Nav DP 4000 dynamic positioning system to allow it to operate in North America’s Gulf of St Lawrence. Navis previously supplied the technology to the world’s first LNG-powered ferry, Viking Grace, which was delivered to Viking Lines in 2012.
Named in honour of Félix-Adrien Gauthier, mayor of the town of Matane from 1960-1963 and founder of the Matane–Godbout ferry route, F-A-Gauthier is the first ever gas-powered ferry to operate in North America.
The 133m ship is equipped with an integrated diesel electric propulsion system with four dual-fuel generators that can run on either traditional marine diesel oil or LNG fuel. By using this system, STQ can significantly reduce its carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, while sulphur oxide emissions will be completely eliminated. This will enable the ferry to sail in emission control areas in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Caribbean and North America.
F-A-Gauthier is certified for ice class 1 A and propulsion class 1 AS, while her innovative bow and stern, which were designed and patented by Fincantieri, will enable her to break sea ice.
The ferry’s two electric propulsion engines operate azimuth thrusters, each equipped with two countrar-rotating propellers, which work with transverse propellers to increase the ferry’s manoeuvrability. When combined with the extensive system of ramps and doors at both the bow and stern, this will enable crew to load and unload the vessel quickly.
F-A-Gauthier has a service speed of 20 knots and will sail in the Province of Québec, offering multiple services on the Matane–Baie-Comeau–Godbout route. The route provides 1,600 sailings a year for more than 205,000 passengers and over 118,000 vehicles.