The Mediterranean ferry company Balearia announced it will invest EUR 60 million (USD 70.2 million) over the next two years to retrofit 5 ferries to run on LNG ( liquefied natural gas) and is planning to further expand the gas-powered fleet.
The use of LNG in the 5 vessels: Abel Matutes, Bahama Mama, Martin i Soler, Napoles and Sicilia, is expected to reduce more than 45,000 tons of CO2 per year, 4,400 tons of NOx (nitrogen oxide) and completely eliminate sulfur and particulate emissions.
Napoles is due to be the first ferry ship to adapt gas propulsion, via conversion work planned for winter months, Balearia revealed in a press release.
In addition to gas remotorization of the 5 ferries, the company is studying 2 other LNG projects and building 2 smart ships at Italy's Visentini shipyard, the first of which (Hypatia de Alejandria) is to be operational as of February 2019.
According to Adolfo Utor, President of Balearia, the company plans to have 9 ships sailing on LNG within 3 years.