Wärtsilä to provide waterjets for Virtu Ferries’ new high speed vessel

Wärtsilä has secured a contract to supply four of its waterjet systems for a new high speed ferry being built for Malta-based company Virtu Ferries.

Wärtsilä has secured a contract to supply four of its waterjet systems for a new high speed ferry being built for Malta-based company Virtu Ferries.

Wärtsilä will provide its LJX1500SRI waterjets and a Lipstronic control system under the new deal, which are expected to be delivered by April next year.

The 110m-long ferry is currently being built at Incat Tasmania yard in Australia and will be able to accommodate 900 passengers across its four lounges on two passenger decks. It is scheduled for delivery before the end of 2018.

The vessel will be capable of cruising at a speed of up to 38kn and will also have the equivalent of 490 truck lane metres' parking space below deck, allowing it to hold 167 cars.

"The 110m-long ferry is currently being built at Incat Tasmania yard in Australia and will be able to accommodate 900 passengers across its four lounges."

It will be the will be the largest high speed catamaran operating in the Mediterranean Sea upon becoming fully operational.

Wärtsilä marine solutions propulsion vice-president Arto Lehtinen said: “This new vessel will be a large and powerful high speed ferry; the Wärtsilä waterjets selected will ensure fast, efficient, and reliable operations.

“We have worked in close cooperation with Incat for nearly 30 years, and during this time have supplied them with modular waterjets for various vessel applications around the world.”

Italy-based ferry firm Moby previously selected Wärtsilä in January to repower its passenger ferry MV Moby Zaza, following the successful repowering of its MV Moby Corse and MV Moby Kiss ships.

Image: The largest high speed catamaran to operate in the Mediterranean Sea will be powered by Wärtsilä waterjets. Photo: courtesy of Wärtsilä.