Wärtsilä tech picked for Japanese LNG-fueled ferries

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä secured a deal to supply solutions for two Japanese newbuild LNG-fueled ferries.

Specifically, Wärtsilä will provide a complete LNG package, comprising the 31DF engine, and gearbox. The Finnish company will also supply its LNGPac storage, supply and control system for the two vessels.

The vessels are being built on behalf of Ferry Sunflower, a Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) unit.

Wärtsilä also noted that Mitsubishi’s Shimonoseki shipyard in Japan is building the vessels. The duo will be the first LNG-fueled ferries to be built in Japan.

Additionally, this newbuild project has been adopted for Japan’s energy conservation rating system for coastal ships. It is a demonstration test program to enhance operational efficiency.

“MOL is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of its business activities, and these two ferries are being built in line with that objective. By operating on LNG they will have a greatly reduced carbon footprint, and the high-performance Wärtsilä engine fits our requirements perfectly”, Makoto Yamaguchi, general manager, technical division, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said.

The about 200-meter long will be named Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki. The ferries will be capable of carrying approximately 763 passengers, 136 trucks and 100 passenger cars. The LNG-fueled pair will be capable of sailing at a speed of 22.5 knots.

They are scheduled to commence operations in 2023 on the Osaka – Beppu route.