Federal Fleet Services joins Green Marine
Quebec City, Quebec, December 1, 2017 – Federal Fleet Services has made its auxiliary oiler replenishment ship, the M/V Asterix, the very 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, the M/V Asterix was retrofitted at Federal Fleet Services’ sister shipbuilding company, Davie, in Lévis, Quebec. The M/V 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,” stated 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. The M/V 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,” commented 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 all the M/V 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.
About Federal Fleet Services
Federal Fleet Services supports military, government and humanitarian operations through the construction, ownership, servicing and management of complex, mission-critical ships. Federal Fleet Services is vertically integrated with its sister company, Davie, which is Canada’s largest and highest capacity shipbuilder, as part of its overall service delivery. Federal Fleet Services unparalleled access and use of Canada’s largest and highest capacity shipbuilding facility means it is able to offer in-house the new building of or conversions for specialized, mission-critical ships that are up to 250 metres (820 ft.) in length.