MV Armand-Imbeau II, the first ever dual fuel ferry vessel constructed in North America was successfully launched at Chantier Davie Canada Inc. in Levis, Quebec on Saturday (July 18). It serves as the first out of a total of two dual fuel ferries that are to be constructed by the Canada-based yard for the purposes of the Société des Traversiers du Québec (STQ) ferry operator.

A keel laying ceremony for the ferry was held back in February by Chantier Davies.

The MV Armand-Imbeau II is classed by Lloyd’s Register and if all goes accordingly should be delivered successfully at some point during the autumn. MV Jos-Deschênes, her sister ship, is to be delivered four months later. The two vessels are Ice-Class rated to 1A regarding their respective hulls and 1AS for their propulsion systems, and are perfectly suited for year-round ice navigating. Each of the two has the capability of transporting a maximum of 432 people, 115 automobiles and 8 heavy goods vehicles.

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The ferries are to be equipped with Wartsilla 20 DF engines, LNGPac fuel storage and treatment systems along with electric thrusters instead of generally-used propellers.

Chantier Davie employed a pneumatic lift bag system for the purposes of launching the ferry, which marked the first instance in which a system like this has been employed in Canada, as stated by the shipyard. The system is completely eco-friendly due to the fact that it is fully reusable and totally eliminates any need of disposing of wooden foundations after the vessel’s launch. In addition, it also translates to less stresses on the hull of the ship during the launching and means that the launching itself is performed in a controlled environment.