Wärtsilä has again been selected to provide an integrated system for the latest addition to Vancouver, Canada based BC Ferries’ series of ‘Salish’ class vessels.
The system to be delivered by Wärtsilä consists of an LNG plant, dual-fuel engines and an electrical propulsion system.
Three similar ferries, all operating on Wärtsilä LNG fuelled engines, have already been delivered. As with the previous three ferries, Gdansk-based Remontowa Shipbuilding (RSB) will also build this latest ship.
The order with Wärtsilä was placed in January, 2020.
“The very best endorsement of customer satisfaction is repeat orders, and this latest contract further strengthens the partnership between our three companies. The decision by BC Ferries to again select RSB as the yard, and to opt for Wärtsilä’s proven and well-established LNG propulsion technology, provides clear confirmation of the efficiency of Wärtsilä’s integrated solution concept.
“It also shows that the performance of the vessel provided by the Wärtsilä solution, and based on the design by Remontowa Marine Design and Consulting (RMDC), delivers great operational benefits to the owner,” claimed Wilco van der Linden, Wärtsilä’s Director of Business Development, Ferry Industry.
“We are proud to extend our fleet of environmentally sustainable and highly efficient ‘Salish’ class ferries. The Wärtsilä LNG solutions enable us to reliably serve our customers while helping to protect the pristine waters of British Columbia,” said Mark Collins, President & CEO of British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Wärtsilä will supply three Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, operating on LNG fuel, a Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, supply and control system, and the Wärtsilä Low Loss Concept (LLC).
An LLC is a power distribution system that delivers higher efficiency, less weight and volume, and high system redundancy, the company explained. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard in 3Q of this year.
The 107 m long ferries are designed to carry 600 pax and crew, and up to 138 vehicles. They serve routes between Vancouver and ports on Vancouver Island.
In addition to the latest equipment order, Wärtsilä also upgraded two of BC Ferries’ larger ‘Spirit’ vessels to LNG fuelled operation. This work was carried out in 2018.
Meanwhile, Wärtsilä is to reorganise its marine business into three independent areas. The objective of this change is to accelerate strategy execution, simplify the business structure, and strengthen business presence in the management board, the company said.
The new businesses – Marine Power, Marine Systems and Marine Voyage – will be operational as of 1st July, 2020.
In the new operational model, Marine Power will focus on Wärtsilä engine and propulsion solutions, while Marine Systems’ offering will consist of gas solutions, exhaust treatment, marine electrical systems, as well as seals and bearings and Marine Voyage will provide navigation solutions, simulation and training solutions, fleet operation solutions, and ship traffic control solutions.
Each business will have lifecycle responsibility for its offerings.
