Finnish technology company Wärtsilä will deliver a propulsion package for a new high-speed catamaran ferry under an order placed in July.
Claimed to be the world’s largest aluminium catamaran, the new vessel is being constructed at the Incat yard in Tasmania, Australia, for Argentina-based ferry operator Buquebus.
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The scope of the contract includes the delivery of engines, waterjets, and a fuel storage and supply system for the catamaran ferry.
Wärtsilä will supply four 31DF dual-fuel engines and four WXJ1500SR waterjets, as well as two LNGPac fuel storage, supply and propulsion control systems.
The Finnish firm will begin delivering the equipment to the yard in the middle of next year.
With a capacity to carry 2,100 passengers and 226 cars, the vessel will have an overall length of 130m and width of 32m.
Featuring Wärtsilä’s 31 dual-fuel engine technology, the vessel will mainly use liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel generated at an LNG plant owned by Buquebus to travel between Argentina and Uruguay.
Furthermore, the ferry will feature shaft e-motors powered through the main engine gearboxes, thereby benefitting further from Wärtsilä’s LNG technology.
The Tier III compliant ferry will also be able to operate in emission control areas (ECAs).
Wärtsilä Marine Power sales general manager Mikko Mannerkorpi said: “This is indeed an exciting project. Our latest WXJ generation axial flow waterjets reduce the installation footprint on average by approximately 25 percent, compared to non-axial flow jet designs.
“They also give a higher power-to-weight ratio, and come with an advanced Propulsion Control System. Combining this with our highly efficient, fuel flexible engines, means that it is a truly future-proof investment.”
Last month, Wärtsilä announced that it had completed its exit from Russia in an ‘orderly’ manner and in line with local laws.
