Wärtsilä has struck a deal to supply the integrated hybrid propulsion system for the world’s first methanol-fuelled hybrid RoRos.
The two new ships are being built at the China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) Co. for Swedish shipping company Stena RoRo for operation in the Irish Sea.
“We are proud to be supporting these innovative hybrid vessels with our methanol fuelled engines and electrification systems,” said Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä’s Marine Power business.
“Both Stena RoRo and Wärtsilä share the same commitment to decarbonising shipping operations, and these vessels represent a further step in this direction by being the first methanol hybrid ships in their class.”
Each vessel will be equipped with two Wärtsilä 32M multi-fuel engines already capable of operating on methanol fuel and with ammonia-ready notation.
Wärtsilä will also supply the MethanolPac fuel storage, supply and control system, the gearboxes, two controllable pitch propellers, three bow thrusters, the NACOS navigation system, three Wärtsilä 20 auxiliary engines, and the hybrid electric system.
The vessels will also be equipped with Wärtsilä shore power solution enabling carbon-free operations when in port.
The 147m ferries will have a 2,800 lane metre capacity and space for 37 passengers and crew. They are scheduled for delivery in June and November 2025.
