Following the successful methanol conversion of the Scandinavian cruise ferry Stena Germanica in 2015, Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Stena Line will work in partnership on a project to retrofit two North Channel fast ro-ro vessels with methanol propulsion.
According to classification society, Lloyd’s Register (LR) the conversion of the twins, Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII which since 2011 have operated the Belfast- Cairnryan, will see them converted to methanol dual-fuel propulsion.
This will lead the 1,200 passenger/660 car/110 lorry cruise-ferries transferring class to LR.
The retrofitting work on the ‘Superfast’ 30,285-tonne pair, operating the 2 hour 15-minute route, will involve converting two of the four main engines in each vessel to run on methanol alongside MGO (Marine Gas Oil).
In addition, the process will see the ferries' bunkering, storage, fuel supply and supporting systems be also adapted for methanol use.
The LR-class 44,377 gross tonne ropax Stena Germanica which operates the Gothenburg– Kiel route, is the only retrofitted methanol vessel in service as Afloat previously reported. The conversion of the 900 passenger 250 lorry ferry built in Spain in 2001, will provide a valuable experience for the project team when converting the Superfast pair, which were built in Germany, originally for Superfast Ferries.
More from LR on the double ro-ro conversion project, along with their recent Fuel for thought report: Methanol for Passenger Ships and a case study on the Stena Germanica.
