The following is text of a news release from Groupe Desgagnes:
(MONTREAL) — On Tuesday, Desgagnes christened and launched M/T Mia Desgagnes, the world's first polar-class dual-fuel oil/chemical tanker. "Desgagnes is very proud to have achieved another world first in only a few short months," said its president and CEO, Louis-Marie Beaulieu, recalling that last May, Desgagnes named M/T Damia Desgagnes the first first dual-fuel asphalt-bitumen-chemical tanker.
Beaulieu said the Desgagnes team had to meet a number of challenges, including integrating the many innovations and new technologies on these vessels into its operations, developing a maritime liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution network, training a new class of qualified and certified sailors, and creating new training and certification programs.
"It is thanks to the exceptional contribution and collaboration of various business partners, including Energir, the Montreal Port Authority, and Transport Canada, that allowed us to meet the challenges of this innovative project," Beaulieu said.
The vessel represents an investment of over $50 million, including nearly $9 million for the addition of dual-fuel/LNG motorization. "This is a very significant investment in line with our commitment to reduce our environmental footprint," said Beaulieu, who thanked the Quebec government for its financial contribution of $700,000 under its program to improve transportation efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The product/chemical tanker was christened Mia Desgagnes in the presence of numerous dignitaries and guests. Mia is a short form of Damia, and was chosen because originally Mia was to be an asphalt-bitumen twin of Damia Desgagnes, and means "drop of seawater" in Hebrew. Longtime employee Anne-Marie Cisotto Montgrain christened the ship, which was previously blessed by the Rev. Aleksander Dudik, vicar at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal.
Mia Desgagnes has several sustainable development certifications, including Clean Ship Super and Green Passport, and can run on three different types of fuel. With a deadweight capacity of nearly 15,000 tons and tanks with a capacity exceeding 17,000 cubic meters, Mia Desgagnes is suitable for transporting refined petroleum products or chemicals. The ship was built at the Besiktas shipyard in Turkey using an original concept and specifications developed by Desgagnes to optimize safety, environmental performance, and operational efficiency.
The ship has a double hull and Polar 7 certification to navigate in ice. It is equipped with a variable-pitch propeller as well as bow and stern thrusters. Its generators' power output of over 3 megawatts allows it, through its generator/motor integrated in the propulsion shaft, to reach a cruising speed of up to 7 knots without using the main engine.
