Wärtsilä is to supply the main and auxiliary engines, plus the fuel storage and supply system, for a new LNG fuelled Italian ferry.
The vessel is under construction at Turkey’s Sefine shipyard and was ordered by Caronte & Tourist Isole Minori, based in Milazzo, Italy.
The order was placed with Wärtsilä in the first quarter of 2021.
The company will supply two Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel main engines, two Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines, two Wärtsilä Gas Valve Units, and a Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, supply, and control system.
All of the equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard in spring 2022 and the ferry is expected to be delivered the following year.
“We are very familiar with Wärtsilä and rate both their products and their support very highly. When the decision to operate primarily on LNG fuel was made, it became clear that Wärtsilä was the most experienced and qualified supplier to use,” said Luigi Genghi, Caronte & Tourist Managing Director.
“This is our second project for the same owner and shipyard, and repeat orders are always an encouraging testimony of satisfaction. Our reference list of ferries operating with the Wärtsilä 34DF engine is indeed impressive, and we are pleased to add to it with this order.
“The flexibility of our dual-fuel technology is important for ferry operators because of the importance of redundancy. Should, for any reason, LNG be not available, the engine can switch to a conventional fuel in milliseconds, and the ferry schedule remains uninterrupted,” added Giammario Meloni, Senior Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Power.
The 109.98 m long ferry will be capable of accommodating 800 pax and up to 115 cars on two vehicle decks. It will primarily operate between Milazzo in Sicily and the Aeolian islands.
