Bigger hybrid vessels to come
The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä is supplying its hybrid propulsion system for a new generation of ferries. The three new ro-pax vessels currently being built will be run by Stena RoRo.
Two of the ferries will have a battery capacity of 11.5 MWh, making them the marine industry’s largest hybrid vessels to date. This battery power is approximately double the power that is currently used for hybrid propulsion.
The order was placed in May 2022. The vessels will be equipped with the Leclanché energy storage system – the Navius MRS-3 – which has both a size and weight advantage versus comparable marine batteries. The vessels are being built at the China Merchants Jinling (Weihai) Shipyard. They are scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025. (sh)