Wärtsilä has won a contract to supply the engines and a range of its electric propulsion systems for two new Finnlines ferries under construction at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) in China
Both vessels are part of Finnlines’ Superstar series and will operate between Finland and Sweden across the Baltic Sea. They will feature Wärtsilä 46F main engines, thrusters, and a state-of-the-art electric propulsion package which includes a hybrid shaft generator system comprising a fully integrated multidrive capable of driving the shaft generators in both directions as motors or generators.
The package includes a thruster control system, and an energy management system to help the vessels operate free of emissions on either batteries or shore power while in port. Finnlines head of newbuilding Mikael Lindholm said “This investment is aimed at energy efficiency and emissions reduction and is part of our intention to lead the development of energy-efficient transport services in the Baltic Sea region.”
“High efficiency and sustainable operations are increasingly becoming the key focus areas for ferry operators around the world, and our range of products, systems, and integrated solutions are designed and developed to achieve the highest levels of performance in these areas. This latest Finnlines order is further evidence of the success of this approach. These new ferries will be among the most eco-friendly ferries of their type, setting new standards for sustainability and energy efficiency,” said Wärtsilä Marine Power general sales manager Mika Ojutkangas.
The 230-m long ferries will be capable of carrying approximately 1,100 passengers and will have 5,100 lane metres for rolling freight.
The order for the engines was placed in July 2020, with the remaining Wärtsilä equipment ordered in September 2020. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard Q2 2022, and the vessels are expected to enter operational service in 2023.
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