Wärtsilä engines for two new TT-Line RoPax ferries

Multi-fuel engines and fuel gas supply systems are to be supplied by Wärtsilä for two new RoPax ferries ordered by Australia’s TT-Line at Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) in Finland.

They will be deployed on the route between Melbourne, Victoria, and Devonport, Tasmania, with delivery of the first ferry scheduled for the end of 2023 and the second vessel a year later.

Part of a fleet renewal programme, the new ships will replace the 1998-built Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II, which TT-Line has operated on the route since 2002.

The 212m-long vessels, with capacity for 1,800 passengers and about 2,500 lane metres on two decks, will be powered initially by LNG. However, the ferries are designed to switch to new alternative fuels when they become available. For each ship, the technology company will supply four Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel main engines, three Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliaries, and two Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, supply, and control systems.

Bernard Dwyer, CEO of TT-Line, commented: “Since 2002 when the current vessels were inducted into our fleet, the Wärtsilä engines have delivered both performance and reliability backed by strong service and technical support. Keeping in mind the IMO’s stringent emission targets for the future, TT-Line has opted for LNG-fuelled ferries. Wärtsilä’s depth of experience and broad portfolio of LNG-fuel solutions for marine applications were prime considerations for us.“