First Dutch single-fuel LNG ferries arrive at Den Helder

Two new Rederij Doeksen LNG-powered catamarans have arrived on board the heavy lift vessel MS Sun Rise.

Dutch ferry operator Rederij Doeksen said on Monday that it expected the vessel to arrive at the Den Helder harbor in The Netherlands on May 27.

The two LNG catamarans left the shipyard at Vung Tau, Vietnam, on March 8. The company added that the vessels would be inspected on Tuesday, May 28. The catamarans will be towed to Harlingen, where the remaining work will be done at the Nesta Shipping Company.

Current AIS data for the MS Sun Rise confirms that the heavy lift vessel has arrived at the Den Helder harbor.

According to Rederij Doeksen, it is not possible to set an exact date and time for arrival in Harlingen due to the uncertain weather conditions and water levels. The company hopes the vessels would be moved to Harlingen on Wednesday evening, May 29.

It is worth noting that the two catamarans are the first single fuel LNG ferries in The Netherlands and the first ships in the world, with single fuel LNG engines directly driving a fixed propeller.

In 2016 Rederij Doeksen commissioned the Australian shipbuilder Strategic Marine to build two new LNG catamarans which will operate on the Wadden Sea to and from the Terschelling and Vlieland islands.

Dutch design agency Vripack was responsible for the design of both the interior and exterior of the vessels.