Wärtsilä has announced it will supply an integrated hybrid propulsion system for two new hybrid RoRo vessels.
The ships are being built for the Swedish shipping company Stena RoRo at the China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) Co., Ltd.
The vessels will be the world’s first methanol-fuelled hybrid RoRo vessels, operating on the Stena Line Irish Sea system.
The combination of new sustainable fuels and electrification is consistent with the company’s objective for sustainable operations. Wärtsilä booked a portion of the order in Q2 2023, while the remainder was booked in Q3 2023.
Each vessel will reportedly be outfitted with two Wärtsilä 32M multi-fuel engines that can now run on methanol and have ammonia ready designation.
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Wärtsilä will also supply the MethanolPac fuel storage, supply and control system, the gearboxes, two controllable pitch propellers (CPP), and the Energy Management System that connects everything.
Each vessel will also benefit from the Wärtsilä Hybrid Solution, which will reportedly reduce fuel usage while providing for 100 per cent green operation in the future.
The vessels will also be equipped with Wärtsilä shore power solution enabling carbon-free operations when the vessels are in port.
Per Westling, Managing Director of Stena RoRo, said: “These vessels are a further development of our previous cargo ship concepts where the focus on sustainability and future-proofing with multi-fuel combustion engines are prioritised.
“With the help of Wärtsilä’s advanced technology, we intend to have the greenest Ro-Ro vessels on the market.”
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Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä’s Marine Power Business, commented: “We are proud to be supporting these innovative hybrid vessels with our methanol fuelled engines and electrification systems.
“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.
“Not only will the emissions be minimised, but they will also have the most efficient energy utilisation during operations.”
The 147 metre long ships will have 2,800 lane metre capacity and will be able to accommodate a total of 37 passengers and crew. They are scheduled for delivery in June and November 2025.
The Wärtsilä equipment will be delivered to the yard in 2024.
