By
Rebecca Gibson |
Spanish energy company Repsol is to supply LNG fuel and the related shoreside infrastructure for Brittany Ferries’ new LNG-powered cruise ferry Salmanaca, which will debut in 2022.
Repsol will install a fixed quayside LNG storage and supply system in one of Brittany Ferries’ two Spanish ports, Santander or Bilbao (location to be decided in late 2019). The company will also deliver LNG fuel to Salamanca during her regular calls on routes linking Portsmouth, UK and northern Spain.
“We are delighted to enter into this long-term agreement with Brittany Ferries, a company clearly engaged with innovation and the improvement in its environmental footprint by using LNG as bunker fuel,” said Laura Rejón-Pérez director of Wholesale & Gas Trading at Repsol. “We are leaders in providing alternative, greener, fuels for maritime, air and road transport and this agreement is an exciting milestone for our growing LNG bunkering business.”
To be constructed at Avic International Weihai shipyard in China, Salmanaca will be the second LNG-powered vessel to join Brittany Ferries’ fleet. The first will be Honfleur, which is currently under construction in Germany and is scheduled to enter service later this year. Using LNG will help to reduce carbon dioxide and almost eliminate sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate emissions.
“LNG offers major environmental advantages compared to traditional maritime fuels, and we’re extremely satisfied to be working with Repsol on LNG bunkering arrangements for our Spanish ferry operations,” said Frédéric Pouget, director of Fleet and Operations at Brittany Ferries. “Repsol’s competence in the field of LNG bunkering technology and environmentally friendly fuels along with its capacity to deliver to us makes it an obvious partner for us. This new terminal will allow for regular, flexible and reliable deliveries whilst Salamanca is alongside, benefiting our operations and scheduling.”