Balearia’s converted ferry Martin i Soler has completed its first LNG bunkering operation as it prepares for trials.
The operation took place on Monday in the port of Viana do Castelo where Portugal’s West Sea shipyard is wrapping up the conversion works on the ferry.
In addition, ESK supplied LNG via a truck-to-ship operation.
West Sea shipyard installed the vessel’s 360 cbm LNG tank supplied by Cryonorm in December.
Balearia says the tank would enable the vessel to travel about 1000 nautical miles on LNG.
Also, the ferry now features MAK dual-fuel engines.
The Spanish ferry operator previously expected the retrofit to complete in April but the delivery could move to May as the vessel still needs to complete trials.
Martin i Soler will join other four Balearia’s converted ferries and three LNG-powered newbuilds.
The firm aims to have a fleet of nine LNG-powered vessels by the end of 2021 with a total investment of 380 million euros ($454 million).
