Wärtsilä to supply systems for methanol-fuelled RoRo ships
The ships will be the world's first methanol-fuelled hybrid RoRo vessels and will operate in the Stena Line Irish Sea system (Source: Stena RoRo)
Integrated hybrid propulsion systems from Wärtsilä are to be installed on two new RoRo ships, the first methanol-fuelled vessels of this type. They are being built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) for Stena RoRo and will be deployed on the ferry company's Irish Sea routes.
Each 147m-long vessel will have 2,800 lane metres of capacity. They will be powered by two Wärtsilä 32M multi-fuel engines capable of operating on methanol now, with ammonia-ready notation. The technology company will also supply MethanolPac fuel storage, supply and control systems, gearboxes, two controllable pitch propellers and three bow thrusters for each vessel, NACOS navigation systems, and three Wärtsilä 20 auxiliaries.
Hybrid electric systems comprising batteries, shaft generators, converters, and transformers will be supplied, all integrated into an Energy Management System. The ships will have Wärtsilä Hybrid Solution systems to optimise fuel consumption today and enable green operations in the future. They will also be capable of plugging in to shore power systems in port.
Stena RoRo managing director, Per Westling, commented: "These vessels are a further development of our previous cargo ship concepts where the focus on sustainability and future-proofing with multi-fuel combustion engines are prioritised. With the help of Wärtsilä’s advanced technology, we intend to have the greenest RoRo vessels on the market."
Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä's Marine Power business, said: "We are proud to be supporting these innovative hybrid vessels with our methanol-fuelled engines and electrification systems. Both Stena RoRo and Wärtsilä share the same commitment to decarbonising shipping operations, and these vessels represent a further step in this direction by being the first methanol hybrid ships in their class. Not only will the emissions be minimised, but they will also have the most efficient energy utilisation during operations."
With a capacity of 37 passengers and crew, the ships are due for delivery in June and November 2025. Wärtsilä will deliver components to the shipyard in 2024.
