VESSEL REVIEW | A Galeotta – Corsica Linea’s newest ship boasts extensive passenger and freight capacities

French shipping company Corsica Linea has begun operational sailings of its first Ro-Pax ferry to be powered by LNG. Built by Italian shipyard Cantiere Navale Visentini to a RINA-classed design by NAOS Ship and Boat Design, the vessel has been named A Galeotta in honour of the flagship of famed 18th century Corsican naval officer and statesman Pasquale Paoli.

The new ferry has a gross tonnage of 42,200, a length of 206 metres, a beam of 28.2 metres, a draught of 6.7 metres, space for 930 passengers and 70 crewmembers, and a freight capacity of 150 cars plus up to 2,563 lane metres comprising additional cargo.

Two dual-fuel engines with a total rated output of 23,400 kW can run on either LNG or diesel and drive controllable-pitch propellers to enable the ferry to sail at a service speed of 22 knots at 80 per cent MCR. The rest of the propulsion includes two 2,000ekW and two 1,600ekW auxiliary engines, and two 1,500kW bow thrusters.

Corsica Linea said that, when sailing in LNG mode, the vessel can achieve sulphur emissions, NOx emissions, and CO2 emissions of 99 per cent, 85 per cent, and 25 per cent, respectively. The propulsion setup can be configured to be able to operate on bioLNG in the future. Also, because of the reliance on LNG, the ferry has no need for heavy fuel oil processing equipment that could otherwise take up even more of the interior space.

There are 220 passenger cabins including six four-person cabins allotted for passengers with limited mobility. Other facilities include a lounge with 83 armchairs, 77 crew cabins, a large casual dining restaurant, a snack bar, a children's play area, a pet kennel, and a game room. All accommodation spaces are fully air-conditioned thanks to a Heinen and Hopman HVAC setup. Heinen and Hopman also supplied the ferry's hot water and chilled water plants.

A Galeotta's design was completed in compliance to Safe Return to Port requirements.

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