Merry about a ferry

The Oslo public transport authority, Ruter AS, introduced three brand new ferries fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) on the Oslo-Nesodden route on the fist of July. They are the first all-passenger LNG ferries in the world (they're not accessible to cars). There are also two high-speed ferries on biodiesel in use in the greater Oslo area.

After a starting up period, let's hear how the LNG ferries fare.

Happy
Ms. Gry Isberg, head of communication with Ruter, evaluates. “We're very happy, indeed,” she says. “They represent the best in environmentally friendly ferry shipping today, using the latest technologies. Compared to the old ferries NOx emissions are nearly seventy per cent lower per year and CO2 emission reduction is more than thirty per cent.”

The growing pains the ferries suffered in their first few weeks have disappeared. “The ferries mainly operate on LNG, but if that doesn't function they automatically switch to biodiesel instead. It is a very advanced technology,” says Gry. “A couple of times we've had trouble, with the new technique and also with the people operating the ferries. As the ships were delivered later than planned, they had very short learning time before the ferries were taken into line service. But now it's all going smoothly,” she laughs.

And she has good reason to be happy, for both commuters and operators are pleased with the new ferries as well. “They look like small cruise boats,” Gry adds.

Prestigious
Besides, the annual costs are about the same as with the old boats. Ruter was pleased that shipping company Tide managed to offer a sustainable solution at a competitive price. Other companies suggested traditional diesel or biodiesel options. Tide won the tender.

“Now we can offer the best to our passengers and the best for the environment at the same time,” says Gry.

For Tyde this is a perfect pilot as well, Gry suggests. “As this is Norway's biggest ferry route in numbers, it is prestigious for Tyde.” The company operates more routes, they're big in Stavanger and on Norway's west coast as well, so it may be interesting for them to expand their LNG ferry fleet in time.