RoPax ferry launched in Finland

Wasaline’s RoPax ferry Aurora Botnia has been launched at Finnish shipyard, Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC). Due for delivery in spring 2021, the vessel will be deployed on the Kvarken Strait between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden. The vessel’s four Wärtsilä engines will run on LNG and liquefied biogas, and the RoPax will be capable of approaching and leaving harbour using electrical power. The 150m-long vessel is equipped with ice-class Azipod® electric propulsion to ensure efficient and sustainable operation in any conditions.

The fuel combination will reduce the Aurora Botnia’s emissions significantly compared with the existing ferry on the route, Wasaline said. It will be the world’s first car and passenger ferry with Clean Design notation. Aurora Botnia will have the capacity to transport 800 passengers and up to 1,500 lane meters of trucks and cars, completing two round trips per day in high season.