First LNG ferry built in North America

The 92m loa ferry Armand-Imbeau II, which features LNG propulsion, storage and control technology from Wärtsilä, was commissioned at the Chantier Davie Canada shipyard in June. Operation on clean-burning LNG will enable the Quebec company to fulfil the demands of the province’s maritime strategy, which seeks to protect the local river and marine ecosystem.

“We are committed to protecting the marine environment in which we operate,” explained François Bertrand, interim CEO of STQ. “We were the first ferry operator in Canada to welcome a LNG-fuelled ferry, in 2015, and following this current delivery we have a third LNG ferry on order.”

All three of STQ’s gas-fuelled vessels will feature Wärtsilä LNG technology and other systems enabling year-round operation in ice conditions. For Armand-Imbeau II, the full scope of Wärtsilä’s supply comprised four Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, the Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, control and supply system, an Integrated Automation System (IAS), the Power Management System (PMS), the electric drive system, the Wärtsilä communication and control center, on-site management and project integration engineering.

The ferry will operate on the Saguenay river on the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine route. It is capable of carrying more than 430 passengers and 110 cars or 16 tractor units.

Wärtsilä previously supplied the dual-fuel engines and LNGPac system for FA Gauthier, the first LNG fueled ferry owned by STQ. It was built in Italy and delivered in 2015.