Damen to Build Two LNG-Battery Hybrid Ferries for Seaspan

An illustration of the hybrid LNG ferries to join Seaspan Ferries’ fleet in 2021. Image courtesy Seaspan

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has been awarded a contract to build two hybrid LNG/battery-powered roll-on/roll-off ferries for British Columbia-based Seaspan Ferries.

The vessels will be constructed at Damen’s shipyard in Mangalia, Romania with delivery planned for 2021.

The 149-meter vessels will be built with 1,034 lane meters and have 209 cubic meter LNG storage onboard, as well as 2 megawatt hours of battery capacity. They will join the Seaspan Swift and the Seaspan Reliant, Seaspan’s first two hybrid ferries which were commissioned a little over two years ago.

“Within their first two years of service, our existing LNG hybrid vessels have operated with emission reductions of over 50% compared to traditional vessels; a large part of which is directly linked to the use of LNG fuel,” said Frank Butzelaar, CEO Seaspan Marine Transportation. “These types of results truly reflect Seaspan’s commitment to our core value of Care for the Environment. Expanding our fleet of LNG vessels will allow us to further expand our service offering and reduce emissions at the same time. It’s the right decision for the business and for the environment.”

Harly Penner, Director Fleet Engineering & Vessel Development at Seaspan Ferries: “Damen worked very hard to win this project and Seaspan Ferries is excited to partner with them in their new yard in Mangalia, Romania. The yard has a good reputation for quality and has all of the necessary people and infrastructure to build these great vessels for Seaspan Ferries. Damen has been working closely with Seaspan to ensure that the vessels achieve their top performance capabilities and Seaspan Ferries is looking forward to working with the Damen team on this exciting project.”