Wartsila Supplies Solutions for Japanese LNG Fuelled Ferries

Wartsila will provide an LNG package for two new ferries being built on behalf of Ferry Sunflower, a subsidiary of Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines, it said on May 19 in a statement.

The LNG package comprises the Wartsila 31DF engine, gearbox, and LNGPac storage, supply and control system. The order with Wartsila was booked in the second quarter of 2020.

“This newbuild project has been adopted for Japan’s energy conservation rating system for coastal ships, a demonstration test programme to enhance operational efficiency,” Wartsila said.

The 200-metre long Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki will be capable of carrying approximately 763 passengers, 136 trucks and 100 passenger cars at a speed of 22.5 knots. They are scheduled to start operations in 2023 on the Osaka – Beppu route. The ships are being built at Mitsubishi’s Shimonoseki shipyard in Japan, and will be the first LNG-fuelled ferries to be built in Japan.