Bermuda receives environmentally friendly ferry duo from Strategic Marine

Singapore-based shipbuilder Strategic Marine has handed over a pair of low-emission catamaran ferries to the Government of Bermuda.

As disclosed in a social media post, the 40-meter-long newbuildings were delivered to the Bermudan government ahead of schedule. The vessels were designed by Australia’s One2Three Naval Architects.

The handover of the units, which will be able to carry around 550 passengers, marks the first collaboration between Bermuda and the Singaporean vessel construction player, according to officials from Strategic Marine. The parties reportedly shook hands on this project around two years ago.

The environmentally friendly catamarans, which are now ready for deployment in Bermudan waters, are described as having been built with features that would ensure operational efficiency as well as sustainable ferry services.

To be specific, as Strategic Marine has elaborated, the ferries were engineered to meet Bermuda’s current and future operational requirements, with projections that they could lead to a carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction level of at least 25%, particularly when compared to the already deployed units on a passenger-mile basis.

Reflecting on this development, Owen Darrell, JP, MP, Bermuda’s Minister of Tourism and Transport, Culture & Sport, remarked that the eco-conscious newbuilds could play a ‘significant’ role in supporting the country’s environmental goals and, at the same time, foster “long-term savings for the taxpayer”.

It is worth noting that Strategic Marine had been given the technical acceptance for the aluminium caramaran duo back in September this year, which marked the first step before the vessels’ handover and deployment.

Despite the trials and tribulations concerning global environmental regulations, particularly the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net Zero Framework, which strives for climate neutrality by (or around 2050), Bermuda has kept pace with its sustainability targets. The territory’s vision is to minimize carbon emissions through a combination of energy and transport initiatives.

Specifically, Bermuda’s key steps aimed at turning this strategy into reality include vehicle electrification, green infrastructure, marine conservation, as well as reaching 85% renewable energy by 2035 through the application of solar and wind power.