Australian ferry builder Incat Tasmania's "world first" dual-fuel fast ferry has recently undertaken sea trials in Hobart, Tasmania.
The 99 metre vessel's twin LNG tanks were loaded with LNG for the first time and testing of the gas system went underway, with the GE LM2500 gas turbine engines being run on gas for the first time at the wharf, then subsequently at sea at the end of May. The gas trials then continued into June.
The 'Lopez Mena' (Incat hull 069) was sea trialled with ballast for a 1,460 tonne displacement trial, comfortably exceeding 50 knots at full power and maintaining a steady 49 knots at 90 per cent power while operating on marine distillate.
The vessel has capacity for 1,000 persons and 150 cars. A luxurious fit out has been incorporated, including a 1,100 square metre duty-free shop.
The 'Lopez Mena' has been constructed for Incat customer Buquebus for operation on the River Plate between Argentina and Uruguay. According to Incat, she will be the world's first dual fuel fast Ro-Ro ferry to use LNG as the primary fuel.