High-speed ferries have a large power requirement since they are designed to operate at speeds of up to 40 knots. This effectively rules out hybrid or pure electric operation, making dual-fuel engines the only effective route to decarbonisation currently available. High-speed ferries tend to use 4-stroke medium and high-speed engines running on MDO/MGO, but here too LNG is making inroads.
The world´s fastest high speed ferry to utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel
For thirty years, the Hales Trophy for the fastest Atlantic crossing by a commercial passenger vessel has been held by catamarans built by Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania. In fact, three successive world records for the ‘Blue Riband’ crossing have been won by Incat catamarans, and all have been powered by Wärtsilä waterjets.
