Caterpillar in Balearia LNG conversion win

Spanish shipping company Baleària will convert its three ferries from diesel to liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel using Caterpillar and MaK solutions.

Hamburg-based Caterpillar Marine said in a statement that its dealer Finanzauto will perform the engine conversion, with work on the ships scheduled to begin in early of 2019.

The three ferries named Abel Matutes, Bahama Mama, and Martin i Soler, are currently equipped with two MaK 9 M 43 C main engines.

After the conversion, the vessels will operate on two MaK 9 M 46 DF engines, which has a rated engine output of 8685kW, according to the statement.

Caterpillar said it will provide DF engine conversion kits and all the required engine modules including an ignition fuel oil module, engine ventilation modules, an exhaust gas ventilation module, GVU ventilation modules, and gas valve units with housing.

Worth mentioning here, Baleària said earlier this month it received the backing of European Union for the planned conversion of its five ferries to run on LNG.  EU funds will cover 20 percent of the 60 million euro ($68.8m) investment Baleària has planned for the conversion project.

Baleària has previously awarded MAN PrimeServ, the after-sales division of MAN Energy Solutions, to perform LNG conversion on its two vessels, the Nápoles and Sicilia.

In addition to the five retrofits, Baleària has two more LNG-fueled ferries under construction at the Italian Visentini shipyard.