Wärtsilä has won a contract to provide a comprehensive range of equipment for three new 2,800 pax cruise vessels being built for Virgin Voyages, currently under construction at Fincantieri.
The order for Wärtsilä engines, hybrid exhaust cleaning scrubber systems and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems was signed in 2016, while the order for the Wärtsilä integrated navigation systems was won in March of this year.
Wärtsilä’s solutions have been selected to support the requirement for clean and efficiently operating vessels, the company claimed.
Each ship will be powered by two eight-cylinder and two twelve-cylinder Wärtsilä 46F engines. The Wärtsilä hybrid scrubber system chosen for these vessels has the flexibility to operate in both open and closed loop modes using seawater to remove SOx from the exhaust.
Significant reductions in NOx and particulates emissions will be made possible by the Wärtsilä SCR system, the company claimed. Wärtsilä will also handle the commissioning of the engines and scrubber systems in co-operation with the shipyard.
Wärtsilä’s Nacos Platinum will handle the navigation and automation controls for the vessels. By integrating various control and monitoring systems, such as those for navigation, automation, emergency shut down, flood detection, plus power and propulsion, the vessels can be operated homogenously from various on board positions.
“It is an honour for Wärtsilä to have been selected to provide such a comprehensive range of solutions for this high profile travel business brand now entering the cruise sector. It represents further endorsement of the quality of our offering and the benefits of our capabilities as a single-source supplier,” said Fred Danska, director, cruise business, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner Wärtsilä for our first series of ships. Their technical expertise, commitment to supporting our sustainability goals and excellent reputation made them the best choice for us.
Virgin Voyages is committed to creating a sea change, Wärtsilä shares our vision and will help make it a reality,” said Stuart Hawkins, Virgin Voyages senior vice president, Marine & Technical.
Florida based Virgin Voyages’ cruise operations will commence in 2020 from Miami with the delivery of the first of the three ships.
