Ferry gas bunker agreement in Canada

Gaz Métro subsidiary Gaz Métro LNG has entered into an agreement with Société des Traversiers du Québec (STQ). Two of the three ferries – said to be currently at the design stage, in a Québec shipyard – will be assigned to the Tadoussac─Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry service, while a third ship,. under construction in Italy,will be used for the Matane─Baie-Comeau─Godbout route. These ferries will be among the first in North America to use LNG, and their commissioning is set to begin in 2015. LNG is said to have been adopted for both environmental and cost-saving reasons.

“We are very pleased to be working with the STQ and actively participating in this innovative project, which is another example of the natural gas industry’s relevance and credibility in supplying fuel to the transport sector. This is a major first for maritime transport in Québec, adding to the recent breakthroughs in merchandise road transportation,” said Sophie Brochu, president and CEO of Gaz Métro.

Georges Farrah, STQ president and CEO, adds, “This agreement is an important step for the future commissioning of our three new ferries utilising green technologies. The many advantages of natural gas, including a reduction of at least 20% in greenhouse gas emissions, led us to choose this fuel. Moreover, the STQ is determined to play an active role in the Québec Government’s collective sustainable development strategy.”