Ferries have a huge role to play in meeting the growing demand for environmentally sustainable transport options. Their dramatically different vessel sizes, configurations and profiles require different approaches to decarbonisation. One approach would be to adopt or retrofit fuel-flexible ferry engines to be able to use alternative, low-emission fuels. Other options include implementing a shore power connection, choosing a hybrid solution, or setting up integrated efficiency technologies onboard.
Choose your vessel type and learn more about the most suitable solutions.
The ferry sector is spearheading whole marine industry’s journey towards zero-carbon operations. Discover the valuable insight from four forward-thinking professionals from the sector.
Robert Clifford, Founder and Chairman of Incat Group offers a simple solution for successful decarbonisation of ferry lines – but for one missing link. What is it?
Roberto Prever, CEO, NAOS Boat & Ship Design on the challenge of decarbonisation. Which fuel does he bring up and what does he say about it? What is his simple advice to owners at the end?
Christer Bruzelius, Senior Partner, Gotland Tech Development on the challenge to achieve sustainable ferry operations. He mentions something that may be surprisingly easy – and something that is going to be difficult for certain. What are his views on how to solve the challenge?
Luke Pretlove, Technical Manager, Austal on the biggest challenge facing ferry lines today. What does he mention as the hardest thing for yards and operators? And what advice does he give to operators and owners?
Complement the webinar with an extensive white paper
Download this paper and learn how to meet the challenges that the diverse ferry industry has on its route towards zero-carbon operations. Insights and practical guidance for the ferry segment, complete with an in-depth look at individual vessel types.
Choose from a wide range of Wärtsilä engines – Wärtsilä 31DF, Wärtsilä 46TS-DF or Wärtsilä 32 methanol engine, for example – and you will get the features and capabilities that are the right fit for your ferry. All Wärtsilä engines have been designed for easy maintenance and to offer low lifecycle cost. They are ready for hybrid solutions and easy to upgrade to run on alternative fuels.
Wärtsilä also offers medium-size and modular waterjets suitable for high-speed ferries. The portfolio features units from 500 kW at the low end of the scale up to units with around 10 MW for large RoPax fast ferries.
Choose an engine conversion package that will make your ferry ready for alternative future fuels: methanol conversion, LNG conversion for 4-stroke engines or LNG conversion for 2-stroke engines. Fuel supply packages are also available, MethanolPac for methanol, and LNGPac for LNG.
Adopt propulsion energy saving technology from Wärtsilä. Your ferry will save fuel thanks to its improved efficiency. This will also help comply to environmental regulations.
A Lifecycle Agreement with Wärtsilä can deliver you true peace of mind. Benefit from AI-powered solutions and predictive analyses together with expert knowledge. You can rest assured that your ferry will perform optimally and sustainably.
The scope of agreements can be tailored to fit your needs, to cover anything from ferry engines and power trains to propulsion solutions, fuel supply systems, and emission abatement technologies.
The Ferry fireside chats are analytical discussions on the issues raised in the ferry industry and in-depth updates on the future of ferry operations. These are insights gathered from the industry’s thought leaders who will help uncover the challenges, deep dive into the solutions available and find the route towards a zero-carbon future. All episodes hosted by Gina Panayiotou.
Discover these hand-picked articles to learn about the many solutions for decarbonised and profitable ferry operations.
Discover the benefits others have already gained from choosing Wärtsilä.
The technology group Wärtsilä and Wasaline, the Finnish–Swedish ferry operator, have signed a ten-year Optimised Maintenance agreement covering the company’s new ferry, the ‘Aurora Botnia’. The agreement was signed in June 2021, but became effective in September. Built at the RMC shipyard in Finland, the Aurora Botnia is the most environmentally-friendly RoPax ferry in the world. The ship’s propulsion is based on a hybrid solution featuring the highly efficient Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engine and batteries. The Wärtsilä 31DF will operate primarily on LNG fuel but will also be able to use BioLNG, a totally renewable fuel that can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent compared to conventional marine fuels. It emits no particulate matter (PM), and close to zero levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx).
The comprehensive Wärtsilä Optimised maintenance agreement includes the latest digital solutions based on artificial intelligence to provide effective predictive maintenance support and the ability to identify potential faults before they actually happen. The service also makes it possible to tune the operation to achieve the lowest possible carbon footprint and minimise unscheduled downtime. The vessel will act as a floating test laboratory linked to Wärtsilä’s Smart Technology Hub in Vaasa, Finland, allowing real-time operational monitoring. This will maximise efficiency and provide valuable data for future developments of solutions capable of the highest levels of sustainability.
“We have worked closely with Wärtsilä for a long time and this partnership has paid huge dividends in terms of efficiency and environmental sustainability. We had no hesitation, therefore, in opting for a Wärtsilä maintenance agreement for this new ship, which will be the first car and passenger ferry in the world to have a Clean Design class notation. It already now meets the proposed ‘EU fit for 55’ programme, which seeks a reduction in CO2 emissions of 55 % by 2030,” says Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director, Wasaline.
“This latest agreement underpins the strong partnership that exists between Wärtsilä and Wasaline and we are so proud to have been part of this project. It represents a real showcase for Wärtsilä and the energy cluster in how we can contribute to reducing the shipping sector’s carbon footprint. As part of our lifecycle solutions approach, long-term maintenance agreements are designed to support our customers’ operating and business performance,” says Henrik Wilhelms, Director, Agreement Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Power.
In addition to the hybrid propulsion system, the Aurora Botnia also features Wärtsilä’s Data Bridge platform. This enables advanced data analytics that provide insight into the ship’s performance at all times, thereby unlocking further potential for enhancing operational and technical efficiencies.
The ship will operate with four Wärtsilä 31DF engines, Wärtsilä’s LNG Pac gas storage solution, as well as with Wärtsilä thrusters, catalysators, controls, integrated electrical and automation systems, and an energy and power management system controlling the hybrid power solution. The ferry also features Wärtsilä’s Nacos Platinum integrated vessel control system.
The 150 metre long ferry will have an 800 passenger capacity and 1500 lane metres for vehicles. It will sail between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden. Both ports will provide LNG bunkering facilities and battery charging capability. The eco-friendly vessel will help preserve the Kvarken World Heritage site through which it will operate.
Media contact for more information on this release:
| Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund General Manager, Marketing Communications Wärtsilä Marine Power Mobile +358 (0)40 538 3519 marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com |
Image caption: The ‘Aurora Botnia’, Wasaline’s new environmentally-friendly ferry, will be supported with a long-term Wärtsilä Optimised Maintenance Agreement. © Wasaline
All Wärtsilä releases are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at http://news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded.
| Wärtsilä Marine Power in brief Wärtsilä Marine Power leads the industry in its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. Our portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, and integrated powertrain systems deliver the reliability, safety, and environmental performance that Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine vision encompasses. We offer our customers performance-based agreements, lifecycle solutions, and an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise. www.wartsila.com/marine |
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