Axpo and GNV fill ferry with bio liquefied natural gas

(CONNECT) The energy company Axpo, which is headquartered in Baden in the Swiss canton of Aargau, and the Genoa-based ferry operator GNV, which is part of the MSC Group from Geneva, completed a ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation at the Port of Genoa. As detailed in a press release, the GNV Virgo ferry was filled with 500 cubic meters of bio-LNG. This volume of LNG is sufficient for the ferry to complete a long-range route all the way to Palermo on Sicily, while also ensuring a reduction in carbon emissions in comparison with conventional fuels.

Weighing in at 52,300 tons, the GNV Virgo measures 218 meters in length and is 29.60 meters wide. Designed for vehicle transport and passenger service, the ship has 420 cabins with space for up to 1,785 passengers and a cargo capacity of ​​2,770 linear meters. It is the first ship in the fleet to be powered by environmentally friendly bio-LNG, which is produced on the basis of biomass, waste and agricultural residues.

“This moment represents a true turning point for GNV in reducing the environmental impact of our fleet”, comments Matteo Catani, CEO of GNV, in the press release, before adding: “The introduction of LNG into our daily operations not only significantly lowers emissions, but also allows us to gain hands-on experience with the technologies that will shape the future of European maritime transport. Simone Demarchi, CEO of Axpo Italia, sees this partnership with GNV as a step towards enhancing the sustainability of maritime transport operations and thanked the Western Ligurian Port Authority and the Genoa Harbour Master’s Office for their “invaluable support”. ce/ww