New ferry is most eco-friendly in Scotland

Pentland Ferries’ 84.5m long MV Alfred is powered by four Yanmar 6EY17W engines designed for decreased NOx/CO2/Sox emissions, quad-screw propulsion and twin hulls that have been hydro-dynamically designed for optimum manoeuvrability. Pentland Ferries also has a wind turbine for feeding power to its offices, the shore base, and the ferry overnight.

Managing director, Andrew Banks, said: “Our green credentials are very important to us, so we are proud to be introducing a vessel that is particularly low in terms of fuel consumption and emission levels.

“These efficiencies sit at the centre of a much wider energy-efficient drive by Pentland Ferries, which includes reducing waste, using low energy lighting, recycling, and switching to wind power, wherever possible.”

Eco fuel consumption

Designed by Southampton-based BMT UK Ltd, construction of the vessel began in mid-2017 at Strategic Marine’s Vung Tau facility in Vietnam.

The fuel consumption of the main engine is the equivalent to that which would only power lights on many traditional mono hull ferries (with equivalent capacity), said Pentland Ferries, adding the fuel to run most traditional mono hull ferries (of equivalent capacity) for one day will keep the MV Alfred running for five to six days.

It is fitted with LED lights throughout and operates quietly and efficiently, achieving a service speed of 16 knots.

MV Alfred began operating on the St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney, to Gills Bay, Caithness, north east Scotland, route.

Pentland Ferries has joined the Scotland-based Green Tourism scheme and hope to be the first green-certified ferry company in the UK, as well as the most energy-efficient ferry operator.

By Rebecca Jeffrey