Wärtsilä and Caronte to cooperate on auxiliary engines and supply system
Wärtsilä’s LNG experience key to multi-engine order for new Italian ferry for Caronte & Tourist in Sicily
The agreement between Wärtsilä Corporation and Caronte is yet another demonstration of the feeling between the Finnish company and Italy. The acquisition of Grandi Motori Trieste, which later became Wärtsilä Italia, dates back to 1999. But what are we talking about, specifically? Once again LNG, the fuel of the moment, at least in shipping.
Wärtsilä to supply Caronte ferry in a ‘greener’ way
The Finnish company will provide the main and auxiliary engines, as well as the fuel storage and supply system, for a new Italian ferry designed to operate on LNG. This latest order comprises two Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel main engines, two Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines, two Wärtsilä Gas Valve Units, and a Wärtsilä LNG fuel storage, supply, and control system. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard in spring 2022, and the ferry is expected to be delivered in 2023. The 109.98 metre long ferry will be capable of accommodating 800 passengers and up to 115 cars on two vehicle decks. It will mainly operate between Milazzo in Sicily and the Aeolian islands. This is not the first Caronte ferry to use LNG, as this one run by MAN Energy Solutions displays.
Quoting the two partners
“We are very familiar with Wärtsilä and rate both their products and their support very highly. When the decision to operate primarily on LNG fuel was made, it became clear that Wärtsilä was the most experienced and qualified supplier to use,” says Luigi Genghi, Managing Director of Caronte & Tourist
“This is our second project for the same owner and shipyard, and repeat orders are always an encouraging testimony of satisfaction. Our reference list of ferries operating with the Wärtsilä 34DF engine is indeed impressive, and we are pleased to add to it with this order. The flexibility of our dual-fuel technology is important for ferry operators because of the importance of redundancy. Should, for any reason, LNG be not available, the engine can switch to a conventional fuel in milliseconds, and the ferry schedule remains uninterrupted,” says Giammario Meloni Senior Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Power
