Finland’s Wartsila secured a contract to supply dual-fuel engines/other equipment for Balearia’s second LNG-powered high-speed ferry.
The Spanish ferry operator ordered the new ferry at compatriot shipbuilder Armon Gijon in October 2022, saying the newbuild would feature 4 Wartsila dual-fuel engines (x9,600kW each).
The order followed the delivery of the company's 123-m-long sistership Eleanor Roosevelt (April 2021). The second vessel (Margarita Salas) will be also fitted with Wartsila engines as the order was confirmed in a statement on Monday, February 6th.
Wartsila said the order had been included in its order book in April 2022.
The world's largest catamaran ferry Eleanor Roosevelt (IMO 9863637) is currently deployed on the mainland Spain-Balearic island's route Denia-Ibiza (2 hours cruising)-Mallorca (5 hours total).
The dimensions of the two vessels will be the same, but the new ship’s Wartsila engines will feature 10% greater power and increased efficiency. Margarita Salas will boast optimized speed/capacity and, like Eleanor Roosevelt, is due to operate on LNG fuel. It will have the capacity to transport ~1,200 passengers and ~400 vehicles.
The contract scope includes 4 Wartsila 31DF dual-fuel engines operating primarily on LNG fuel, 4 WXJ steerable-reversible inboard hydraulic waterjets with a Protouch propulsion control system, and a pair of LNGPac fuel storage & supply systems.
According to Wartsila, the axial flow of the waterjets reduces the installation footprint by ~25% in comparison with conventional systems.
The propulsion system will also enable the ship to reach a service speed of 35 knots.
The price tag of the contract has not been revealed.