Finnish technology firm Wärtsilä has secured an order to provide dual-fuel engines and high-performance axial flow waterjets for Spanish shipping firm Baleària’s new Ro-Pax liquefied natural gas (LNG) ferry.
Spain’s Astilleros Armon Gijon yard is constructing the vessel, named ‘Margarita Salas’.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Under the contract, the Finnish firm will supply four Wärtsilä WXJ steerable-reversible inboard hydraulic waterjets, along with four International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Tier III-compliant Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines, which mainly run on LNG fuel.
The axial flow of the company’s waterjets is said to lower the installation footprint by an average of 25% compared to traditional systems.
Wärtsilä will also provide its Protouch propulsion control system, as well as two LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems.
The propulsion system will offer the ferry a service speed of 35 knots.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataWärtsilä general sales manager for Spain Jesus Puelles said: “It is an honour to have been selected as the integrated drivetrain package supplier for this state-of-the-art vessel. We have been able to offer superior technical performance, the best power-to-weight ratio, the best overall equipment efficiency, and enhanced integration support.”
Margarita Salas will have the same dimensions as its sister vessel, the 123m-long ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’, which is currently said to be the longest high-speed ferry in operation globally.
However, the new vessel’s latest-generation WXJ waterjets will result in ‘better performance’, while its engines will have 10% more power, stated Wärtsilä.
Baleària newbuilds project manager Pablo Garcia said: “This new ship will combine the most competitive features of the Eleanor Roosevelt with a series of innovations in its design and engineering to enhance the customer experience.”
Recently, Wärtsilä received a contract to supply fuel gas supply systems and other solutions for four new Pacific International Lines containerships.
