Wärtsilä will supply dual-fuel engines and high-performance axial flow waterjets for Baleària’s new high-speed ropax ferry
Margarita Salas is being built at the Astilleros Armon Gijon yard in Spain. It will have the same dimensions as sister vessel Eleanor Roosevelt, which at 123 m is currently the longest high-speed ferry in the world in operation.
While the dimensions of the two ships will be the same, the new vessel’s Wärtsilä engines will have 10% greater power and increased efficiency. Wärtsilä added the latest-generation WXJ Wärtsilä waterjets will deliver even better performance. Overall, Margarita Salas will feature optimised speed and capacity and, like the previous vessel, will operate on LNG fuel.
“This new ship will combine the most competitive features of Eleanor Roosevelt with a series of innovations in its design and engineering to enhance the customer experience,” said Baleària newbuilds project manager Pablo Garcia.
“It is an honour to have been selected as the integrated drivetrain package supplier for this state-of-the-art vessel. We have been able to offer superior technical performance, the best power-to-weight ratio, the best overall equipment efficiency, and enhanced integration support. This represents a value proposition that will make this new ferry superbly efficient,” said Wärtsilä general manager sales Spain Jesus Puelles.
The Wärtsilä scope includes four Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines operating primarily on LNG fuel, four Wärtsilä WXJ steerable-reversible inboard hydraulic waterjets with Protouch propulsion control system, and two LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems. LNG is currently the cleanest and most mature marine fuel available within the industry’s decarbonisation focus.
The axial flow of the Wärtsilä waterjets reduces the installation footprint by an average of 25% compared with conventional systems. Furthermore, the propulsion system will enable the vessel to reach a service speed of 35 knots.
Wärtsilä said it has a long-standing business relationship with both the Astilleros Armon Gijon yard and Baleària. Previous ferries built for the operator are powered by Wärtsilä engines and propulsion solutions.
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