Technology group Wärtsilä has announced it has been contracted to supply a fully integrated electric propulsion with waterjets for a brand-new high-speed catamaran ferry currently being built for Molslinjen, the Danish ferry operator.
Wärtsilä is set to provide an integrated electric propulsion system, DC power conversion system, energy management system, automation system and a set of eight propulsion motors & waterjets, as well as its ProTouch propulsion control system.
The new ferry is the third in a line of battery-electric vessels being built at the Incat shipyard in Tasmania – all of which will be driven by Wärtsilä solutions.
Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation, said:This series of battery-electric ships highlights the ferry industry’s focus towards decarbonised operations. Wärtsilä is similarly committed to supporting the decarbonisation of shipping, and our technology reflects our emphasis on sustainability, innovation and performance.
The move towards net-zero emissions is well underway, and we at Wärtsilä are proud to be at the forefront of this transition
Wärtsilä’s electric driven waterjet propulsion system features low weight, shallow draft operation, low maintenance and enables easier access, safety and reliability, with the waterjets themselves having been designed for the highest overall propulsion efficiency.
Each of the three ferries will measure in at 129 metres in length and 30.5 metres in width, providing room for up to 1,483 passengers and 500 cars. The vessels will serve the Kattegat route once they join the fleet in Denmark during 2027 and 2028.
Stephen Casey, CEO, Incat said:Electrification is very much the future for ferry operators around the world, and battery- based propulsion is a very viable option for owners and operators looking to increase the sustainability of their fleets.
Large-scale, low-emission transport solutions are not only possible, but are ready and available today. Incat Tasmania supports this trend through its record of pioneering new technology and design.
