French ferry operator Brittany Ferries, Finnish technology company Wärtsilä and Australian manufacturer of high-speed catamaran ferries Incat Tasmania have signed a partnership deal to explore design and technical requirements for a 137-meter zero-emissions craft.
The project comes as Brittany Ferries nears completion of the biggest fleet renewal program. Five new vessels will become part of the fleet between 2020 and 2025, including two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships (currently in service) and two shore-power-ready LNG-electric hybrids.
The deal includes the design and construction of fast craft, all aspects of engineering and technical needs, and experience in operating a large and diverse fleet.
Wärtsilä is a supplier to all five new ships in Brittany Ferries’ ongoing fleet renewal project. This includes LNG engines that power Salamanca, which joined the fleet in 2022, and Santoña in 2023.
In addition, Wärtsilä is installing LNG-hybrid drivetrains for hybrid vessels currently under construction and set to sail for Europe by the end of this year.
Brittany Ferries took delivery of an Incat fast-ferry in 2005. Under the name Normandie Express, the ship traveled from Tasmania to France and served the company until 2021.
The vessel is currently under charter from Brittany Ferries to Condor Ferries operating with the name Condor Voyager. It operates St Malo – Channel Islands routes.
“This is an important project as we look at different ways to reach net zero by 2050,” said Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries.
“All-electric power is a potential solution, best suited to shorter ferry routes. At this stage we don’t know what is feasible, and upon which route, but what we can say is that trusted partners will help us scope it out. Upon completion of the project we can move quickly. Brittany Ferries has a track record of walking the talk when it comes to leading the industry on sustainable ferry travel, as our investment in LNG and hybrid ships shows.”
Incat recently partnered with Danish ferry and logistics company DFDS to complete a design study for the construction of a new electric-hybrid ferry. The 72-meter ferry, which will have the option to convert to fully electric, is suited to a number of ferry routes across Europe.
