The company will supply engines and a range of electrical solutions for the two new ferries under construction at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard.

The delivery includes Wärtsilä 46F main engines, thrusters, and an electric package, the last covering a hybrid shaft generator system that will comprise a fully-integrated Multidrive capable of driving the shaft generators in both directions as motors and/or generators.

The package also contains a thruster control system, plus an energy management system for performance optimisation that will enable the vessels to operate free of emissions on either batteries or shore power while in port.

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in spring 2022, and the vessels (230 m-long, with room for up to 1,100 passengers and 5,100 lane metres of cargo capacity) are expected to start operating in 2023.

"This investment is aimed at energy efficiency and emissions reduction and is part of our intention to lead the development of energy-efficient transport services in the Baltic Sea region. We have Wärtsilä solutions in most of our ships, so we are familiar with the efficiency and reliability they offer," Mikael Lindholm, Head of the Newbuilding Department at Finnlines, said.

Mika Ojutkangas, General Manager, Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Power, added, "High efficiency and sustainable operations are increasingly becoming the key focus areas for ferry operators around the world, and our range of products, systems, and integrated solutions are designed and developed to achieve the highest levels of performance in these areas. This latest Finnlines order is further evidence of the success of this approach. These new ferries will be among the most eco-friendly ferries of their type, setting new standards for sustainability and energy efficiency."

Photo: Finnlines