AG Ems Signs LNG Ferry Pact with RNS

Dutch shipyard Royal Niestern Sander (RNS) announced the signing of an agreement with the ferry company AG Ems for the conversion of another passenger ferry - Münsterland - to LNG propulsion.

The Holland-based shipyard receives a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union for this innovation process.

"Thanks to the LNG conversion, the Münsterland will start using a much less polluting fuel, which will reduce emissions significantly. The new shape of the stern will also reduce the hull resistance. As a result, the ship needs less engine power to sail at the same speed, which means a reduction in fuel consumption and noise," said a press release from the company.

Royal Niestern Sander will design and build a completely new aft ship for the passenger ship from 1986, including dual fuel engines, LNG storage tanks, propulsion systems, all LNG installations, pipelines and other systems. This completely new stern will replace the existing stern of the Münsterland.

The project approach of Niestern Sander leans on the two pillars of the company, namely shipbuilding and ship repair. Due to the combination of shipbuilding and ship repair, the majority of the conversion operation takes place physically at the ship construction site, whereby the repair dock is not yet needed. The Münsterland can continue to operate as usual during this work.

 AG Ems will put the Münsterland back into service in its new form in the first half of 2020.