Italy's Fincantieri to build LNG-powered ferry for Sicilian region

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed a contract for the construction of a new LNG-powered dual fuel RoPax ferry for the Sicilian Region, it announced on October 9 on LinkedIn. The ship will be built in the company's Palermo shipyard and is scheduled to be delivered in 2026.

The new ferry will be 140 m long and will have a capacity for 200 cars and 1000 people. It will be equipped with a dual fuel engine that can run on both diesel and LNG, and it will also have a photovoltaic system that will generate enough electricity to power the ship for up to four hours while in port.

The new ferry will improve the quality and safety of maritime journeys to the Sicilian islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria. It will also help to reduce the environmental impact of shipping in the region, the company said.

The use of LNG as a fuel for ships is becoming increasingly popular, as it is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel than traditional marine fuels. LNG-powered ships emit less sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide than diesel-powered ships.