First German LNG Ferry Delayed

Cuxhaven-based cruise line Reederei Cassen Eils will have to wait at least until the second half of October to take delivery of MS Helgoland, the first German flagged marine vessel to operate on liqefied natural gas (LNG) as its primary fuel.

German shipbuilder Fassmer will miss the delivery deadline by close to five months, seeing that the 83-meter, dual-fuel MS Helgoland, with a capacity to carry 1,000 passengers, was originally scheduled for delivery in June.

Fassmer cited technical issues caused by the complexity of technology used in the construction of LNG-powered vessels, and the time-consuming approval procedures for some of the prototype equipment used onboard the vessel, namely the LNG-powered generator sets, as the main reasons for the delay.

Upon its delayed delivery, MS Helgoland will start operating between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland in Germany.

This route will take it close to the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea national park, an ecologically sensitive UNESCO World Heritage listed area in the south-eastern part of the North Sea.

Because of the need to minimize exhaust gas emissions in this area, the ferry will operate primarily on LNG, powered by the two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF medium-speed dual-fuel engines.

World Maritime News Staff