New TT-Line RoPax duo will feature Wärtsilä technology

New ferries will each carry 1,800 passengers. [Image: Rauma Marine Constructions]

The two RoPax ferries on order at Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard for Australian operator TT-Line will be future-proofed to operate alternative green fuels, according to Wärtsilä, which has been chosen to supply their engines and fuel gas supply systems.

The scope of supply for each vessel includes four Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel main engines, three Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines, and two Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, supply, and control systems. Wärtsilä says the engines will able to operate on new green fuels “as and when the availability evolves.”

TT-Line currently operates two ferries—Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II, both of which operate with Wärtsilä engines—on the route between Melbourne, Victoria and Devonport, The fleet will be renewed with the delivery of the new vessels, which will be LNG-fueled to lessen their environmental impact.

“Since 2002 when the current vessels were inducted into our fleet, the Wärtsilä engines have delivered both performance and reliability backed by strong service and technical support,” says Bernard Dwyer, CEO of TT-Line. “Keeping in mind the IMO’s stringent emission targets for the future, TT Line has opted for LNG fueled ferries. Wärtsilä’s depth of experience and broad portfolio of LNG-fuel solutions for marine applications were prime considerations for us.”

“We have worked closely with TT-Line for a number of years and are pleased and proud to continue this long-standing relationship via this latest newbuild project. We shall extend our best technical and operational support to TT-Lines’ new ferries. Wärtsilä has played a major role in enabling LNG to become a viable and increasingly popular marine fuel, and its adoption by global operators continues to grow. This order is a clear reflection of that trend,” says Mikko Mannerkorpi, general manager, sales, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

“Our goal is to be a pioneer in environmentally sustainable technology in shipbuilding, and we want to provide vessels to our customers accordingly. The LNG-powered engines play an important part in building two new eco-efficient and future-proof vessels for TT-Line,” says Jyrki Heinimaa, president and CEO of Rauma Marine Constructions.