The LNG-powered ferry F.A.Gauthier, built by Fincantieri at its shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia, Naples, left the yard on Wednesday bound for Matane, in Québec, Canada having completed sea trials.
The delivery to Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), a Québec crown corporation that operates in maritime passenger and vehicles transport business, will take place when the ferry arrives in Canada. The new vessel represents a genuine technological revolution as it is the first LNG powered ferry ever built in Italy and the first of the kind to enter into service in North America, according to Fincantieri.
This ship, which is equipped with a unique integrated diesel electric propulsion system has four dual fuel diesel power generators installed and it can run on either gas (LNG) or marine diesel oil (MDO). This propulsion system fully meets the ecological requirements of the ECA areas (Baltic Sea, North Sea, Caribbean, North America).
The ferry features an ice class 1A and has ice-breaking capability designed and patented by Fincantieri.
The ferry’s two electric propulsion engines operate azimuth thrusters, each equipped with two counter-rotating propellers, which together with bow thrusters, make the ferry exceptionally manoeuvrable.
At 133 metres long and 22 metres wide, F.A. Gauthier will be able to reach a maximum service speed of 20 knots and carry 800 passengers and 180 vehicles.
The ferry will be used in the Province of Québec on the Matane–Baie-Comeau–Godbout route, which, with 1,600 sailings per year, provides transport for more than 180,000 passengers and over 85,000 vehicles.
The following video shows the ferry’s launching ceremony held in July 2014: