Tallink Grupp Opts for Wärtsiläs LNG Engines

zoom A new fast ropax ferry ordered by the Estonia based Tallink Grupp for its Tallinn Helsinki route, will feature Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines running primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship is to be built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is scheduled to be in operation from the beginning of 2017. The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in February. Wärtsiläs dual-fuel (DF) engine technology with LNG used as the main fuel will enable the ship to comply with the International Maritime Organizations (IMO) latest sulphur emissions legislation which came into force in January 2015. The full scope of supply includes three 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF and two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF main engines, as well as two Wärtsilä fixed pitch propellers and propeller shaft lines. The equipment will be delivered to the yard in early 2016. The ferry will operate at fairly high speed and to very tight schedules. It is, therefore, important to the customer that the main engine propulsion is highly efficient and extremely reliable, says Mika Ojutkangas, General manager, Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power. The new 212 metre long ferry will have a gross tonnage of 49,000 and will carry 2800 passengers.