The Swedish shipping company has contracted Wärtsilä to convert an undisclosed number of ferries to use methanol as fuel.

The conversions - scheduled to take place in 2025 - will include the fuel supply system and engine modifications, as well as integrating the new installations with the ships' existing systems.

The full scope of Wärtsilä's supply package will include fuel tank instrumentation and valves, transfer pumps, low-pressure pump skid, fuel valve trains, methanol fuel pump units and the automation of the system, engine conversions, and automation upgrade for the engine control room.

"Converting ferries for methanol fuel will enable them to be compliant with various existing and upcoming regulations, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), FuelEU Maritime, and the IMO 2050 GHG reduction target," Wärtsilä highlighted in a press release.

"As we continue to implement our strategy to decarbonise all our operations, we see methanol as a viable alternative fuel that will help us achieve this ambition. Wärtsilä has proven its capabilities to carry out the necessary conversions. This was shown eight years ago when they converted the Stena Germanica to operate with methanol, and our experience from this ground-breaking innovation has been very positive," commented Ian Hampton, Stena Line's Chief Operating Officer Fleet and Government Affairs.

Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä's Marine Power business, said, "We have had close cooperation with Stena Line for many years and we are pleased to be supporting them again in this important conversion project. Like Stena Line, Wärtsilä is committed to making decarbonised shipping operations a reality, and we have invested heavily in developing our engine portfolio to be capable of utilising carbon-neutral and zero-carbon fuels."

Photo: Wärtsilä