'Greenest ever' Channel ferry

SHIPBUILDERS STX France say they are developing the “ferry of the future” for Brittany Ferries.

Their new design, called Pegasis (Power Efficient Gas Innovative Ship), has a dual-fuel engine powered partly by liquified natural gas (LNG) and partly by a high-efficiency electric motor.

According to the firm, this is a “milestone in ferry motorisation” and will mean it will have up to 20% less CO2 emissions than standard ones and will use up to 20% less energy.

Pollutants nitrogen and sulphur oxides will also be cut by 90% and 100%, the firm says. It will also have a special lightened structure and will offer 15% of additional car decks compared to standard vessels.

The aim is to make the ferry the most energy-efficient one, while maintaining a huge 210m length and 2,400 passenger, 650 car and 40 lorry capacity.

STX France spokeswoman Delphine Glédel said the scheme, still at the research and development phase, will be “a significant technological step for the French shipbuilding industry and the associated gas field”.

The project is part of STX France’s Ecorizon programme, a label under which they are aiming to develop various green shipbuilding ideas.

It has been backed by funds from the regional council of the Pays-de-la-Loire and is supported by Gican (a state-sponsored grouping of naval industry companies) and the French Maritime Cluster (a lobby promoting French merchant shipping).

However the firm is also hoping for state funding under the government’s “Big Loan” scheme.

Brittany Ferries president Jean-Marc Roué said European shipbuilders were facing new environmental norms and the design was aimed at responding to them.

“This project fits perfectly into the ‘ship of the future’ heading for the president’s Big Loan,” he said. The ship will be built at Saint-Nazaire, it is planned.