DNV and the MSC Group are pursuing a decarbonisation strategy that includes the adoption of cold ironing and the use of LNG.

Shipping company GNV is making headway in its program to integrate "cold ironing"—the technology that enables ships to connect to the onshore power grid while berthed. Recent operations involving the new GNV Aurora saw successful connection tests at the Port of Barcelona, while the Excellent achieved similar results after completing initial safety checks at the French port of Sète.

The GNV Aurora ship

The ship's electrical panels were found to be compatible with the power supplied by the port infrastructure when tests were carried out on the *GNV Aurora*. The company's second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessel was built by GSI shipyards. It has a gross tonnage of 53,000 and a capacity of over 1,700 passengers. Designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50% compared to earlier models, the ship is part of a series in which onshore power testing will be extended to sister ships Polaris, Orion, and Virgo as the installation plan continues for other vessels already in service.

The Excellent's onboard systems

Preliminary checks on the Excellent's onboard systems have been successfully passed at the port of Sète. The Excellent is a vessel operating routes to the Maghreb. Over the coming weeks, a final round of technical inspections will be carried out, culminating in the complete shutdown of the combustion generators while the ship is docked. This will eliminate direct emissions of nitrogen and sulphur oxides, as well as reducing noise levels in areas adjacent to the port.

Related: MSC and GNV sign order for 4 new Ro-Pax ferries in China

 The decarbonisation strategy

GNV CEO Matteo Catani confirmed that the adoption of cold ironing and the use of LNG are part of the decarbonisation strategy pursued by the company and the MSC Group, to combine efficient maritime services with environmental protection for the urban and port areas served by the fleet.

About:GNV

A GNV ship refers to a vessel belonging to Grandi Navi Veloci, an Italian roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) passenger and freight ferry company founded in 1992 and owned by the MSC Group. These ships function as large, fast cruise-ferries combining vehicle and freight transport with passenger travel amenities

Related: New GNV Polaris ferry arrived in Naples from China for MSC

Source: Shipping Italy 

# Grandi Navi Veloci, # MSC Group.#GNV Aurora#Excellent Ship # Matteo Catani # Port of Barcelona #French port of Sète # GNV ferries # Spain # initial cold ironing