A long-term deal has been signed for the supply of liquified natural gas (LNG) and liquified bio methane (LBM) to help power two new hybrid ships ordered by Brittany Ferries.
The ferries will serve routes connecting Portsmouth with St Malo, and Portsmouth with Ouistreham.
The two 1,400-passenger LNG-hybrid ships will join the fleet in 2024 and 2025 replacing two of the longest-serving vessels, Bretagne and Normandie.
They follow two new LNG-fuelled ships, Salamanca, which entered service in March, and Santona from next year.
The latest technology vessels will have a large battery hybrid power system for propulsion and manoeuvring in port and an electric shore connection that will allow charging in port, when local infrastructure allows.
Hybrid propulsion promises less noise and a smoother ride for passengers as well as cutting emissions, according to the line.
Revealing the deal with supplier Titan LNG, Brittany Ferries operations and ports director Frederic Pouget said: “Ships like Salamanca, Santona and our forthcoming hybrid ships are cleaner today and greener tomorrow.
“Thanks to LNG, they promise an immediate and significant reduction in air quality emissions and a small reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
“They are greener tomorrow because they are capable of running on fuels like LBM first and later future fuels like Hydrogen Derived Liquid Methane.
“These have the potential to slash well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions. Our new vessels will therefore automatically become greener when these fuels arrive and there is great potential for expanding the development of the LBM value chain with Titan LNG.”
The partnership marks the expansion of Titan’s operations in the English Channel which will enhance the availability of LNG, LBM, and in the longer run hydrogen-derived LNG in the region.