Wärtsilä tech ordered for BC Ferries’ LNG newbuilds

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to provide an integrated system for the latest addition to Vancouver, Canada-based BC Ferries’ series of LNG-fueled Salish Class vessels.

The system consists of the LNG plant, dual-fuel engines, and electrical propulsion system, the company said in its statement.

Three similar ferries, all operating on Wärtsilä engines fuelled by LNG, have already been delivered. As with the previous three ferries, Remontowa Shipbuilding (RSB), located in Gdansk, Poland, will also build this latest ship.

The Wärtsilä scope of supply includes three Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, operating on LNG fuel, a Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, supply and control system, and the Wärtsilä Low Loss Concept (LLC). The LLC is a power distribution system that delivers higher efficiency, less weight and volume, and high system redundancy.

The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard in the third quarter of this year.

The 107 meters long Salish Class ferries are designed to carry 600 passengers and crew, and up to 138 vehicles. They serve routes between the city of Vancouver and ports on Vancouver Island.

In addition to the equipment for these vessels, Wärtsilä also upgraded two of BC Ferries’ larger Spirit Class vessels to LNG fuelled operation. This work was carried out in 2018.