French shipping firm Brittany Ferries said it has taken delivery of Stena RoRo’s LNG-powered ferry Salamanca.
LNG Prime reported on this vessel last week. China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai said then the LNG-powered Salamanca had completed its sea trials and that it would work to prepare the vessel for its delivery to the owner.
Brittany Ferries said it took delivery of the vessel it chartered from Sweden’s Stena RoRo on November 30.
Preparations for the E-Flexer vessel’s arrival in February 2022 to Europe are “well under way.”
Salamanca is the next ship in Brittany Ferries’ fleet renewal program and the first to go on LNG. Its sister ship Santona should join Brittany Ferries in 2023.
The new Ro-pax vessels will operate services between the UK and Spain.
Work has also recently started on LNG bunkering terminals in the ports of Bilbao and Santander. These will store fuel for Salamanca and Santona.
In addition, Brittany Ferries and Stena RoRo signed another deal earlier this year for two new LNG-powered ferries, boosting the total to four.
Both of the 194 meters long hybrid vessels will sail on LNG but they will also feature batteries and shore-side power. Jinling will construct these vessels as well.
These vessels will join Brittany Ferries in 2024 and 2025 and will carry passengers on routes connecting France with the UK.
