The following is the text of a news release from Green Marine:
(QUEBEC CITY) — Federal Fleet Services has made its auxiliary oiler replenishment ship, M/V Asterix, the first naval fleet auxiliary vessel to join Green Marine, which is the largest voluntary environmental certification program for North America’s maritime industry.
A former containership, Asterix was retrofitted at Federal Fleet Services’ sister shipbuilding company, Davie, in Levis, Quebec. Asterix is the largest naval vessel ever to be delivered from a Canadian shipyard. Equally suited for combat and humanitarian operations, the vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art environmental features.
‘’It’s the greenest naval ship ever built in Canada,” said Spencer Fraser, Federal Fleet Services’ CEO. “It has a double hull and a deck specifically designed for spill prevention, along with the latest innovations such as Terragon’s MAGS system for the safe and green disposal of garbage.’’
The micro auto gasification system (MAGS) is the world’s most compact, efficient and environmentally safe technology for the conversion of a variety of combustible materials into thermal energy for the ship’s use. Asterix is also ready to receive a ballast water treatment system once IMO regulations come into force.
“We’re delighted to welcome Federal Fleet Services,” said David Bolduc, Green Marine’s executive director. “We visited the vessel at the Davie shipyard and were impressed by all of the attention to detail that went into this conversion.
“Federal Fleet Services is demonstrating a commitment to operating its vessel in the most sustainable way possible from the outset, with the latest technologies in place to ensure the ship meets or exceeds environmental compliance, which is in keeping with our program.”
The Green Marine environmental program offers a roadmap for ship owners, port authorities, terminal operators and shipyard managers to voluntarily reduce their environmental footprint. Using 12 performance indicators, the comprehensive program addresses key environmental issues such as air and greenhouse gas emissions, underwater noise, oily water, and garbage management.
Commissioning of Asterix’s onboard systems and sea trials are underway and the ship will be heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia in early December.
“Our Canadian crew is ready to begin operations alongside the Royal Canadian Navy,” Fraser added. The vessel can accommodate 114 military personnel in addition to the 36 members of its civilian crew.
