The technology group Wärtsilä’s 31DF dual-fuel engine, which emphasises outstanding efficiency, extremely economical fuel consumption, and minimal emissions, has been selected to power a new and highly advanced, pioneering cruise vessel. The polar ice-class luxury cruise vessel is being built for the France-based operator Ponant at Vard Søviknes, a part of VARD shipbuilding group in Norway. The order with Wärtsilä was in the second quarter of 2018.
Because the 150-metre long ship will operate in environmentally sensitive Arctic and Antarctic waters, it will operate primarily on LNG. Wärtsilä’s advanced technologies and experience in LNG solutions were cited as key reasons for the selection of the 31DF engines and other Wärtsilä solutions.
In addition to four 14-cylinder and two 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31DF engines, Wärtsilä will also supply the fuel gas supply system, chosen because of the company’s outstanding experience and references in gas containment and gas fuel systems. Also included in the scope is Wärtsilä’s Nacos Platinum advanced navigation equipment, which can later be integrated with an Eniram proactive energy management system delivering predictive insights and mobile alerts. Eniram is a Wärtsilä company.
The company’s Smart Marine Ecosystem vision is to use high levels of connectivity and digitalisation in enabling the efficient use of resources, the highest levels of safety, and the least possible impact on the environment.
“We have ordered the building of a clean ship featuring technologies that go beyond current industry-standard environmental regulations. This is why we have chosen a propulsion format with Wärtsilä’s highly efficient 31DF engine running on LNG,” says Charles Gravatte, Ponant General Secretary.
“Wärtsilä’s cutting-edge technologies are making a huge contribution to creating cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally sustainable shipping. This valuable contract is a clear example of this. We are delighted to be supporting Ponant in enabling this cruise ship to meet the highest standards of sustainability,” says Glenn Mattas, Regional Sales Director, South Europe & Africa, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered in 2020, one year before delivery of Ponant’s polar ice-class luxury cruise vessel. This will be the twelfth ship in Ponant’s fleet of cruise vessels. The previous eleven ships are all powered by Wärtsilä engines.
Image caption: Ponant’s new cruise vessel will feature advanced environmental performance with Wärtsilä LNG solutions. (Image: Ponant)
Media contacts:
Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
General Manager, Positioning, Marine Solutions Marketing
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Ms Alexandra Olivari
Communications Director, Ponant
Tel: +33 4 88 66 65 42
aolivari@ponant.com
Mr Guillaume de Roys
General Manager, Sales, South Europe & Africa, Marine Solutions
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +33 1 47768933
guillaume.deroys@wartsila.com
Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2017, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.9 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com