Construction of LNG and LBG-powered ferry ‘on schedule’
Construction of a new car and passenger ferry in Finland that will partly run on liquefied biogas is on schedule, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Rauma Marine Constructions said work on the new ferry for Wasaline is progressing “uninterrupted”. The Aurora Botnia will operate between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden and will accommodate 800 passengers. The vessel, due to be delivered to Wasaline in spring 2021, will also have a freight capacity of 1,500 lane metres for cargo.
The Aurora Botnia will have a hybrid power generation system, as well as an electric propulsion system ‘rarely used’ in car and passenger ferries, according to Rauma. The vessel’s four main engines, supplied by Wärtsilä, will run on liquefied biogas and liquefied natural gas.
“We’re starting to put together the last blocks and the construction of the hull, as well as the fitting of the machine rooms and car decks, is proceeding at a rapid pace,” said Johanna Kaijo, project manager of the newbuilding NB6002. “A total of seven of Aurora Botnia’s blocks will be delivered from Gdansk in Poland, of which three arrived at the end of April. We are currently fitting the blocks that were delivered.”
Peter Ståhlberg, managing director of Wasaline, said: “Our vessel will be the world’s most environmentally-friendly car and passenger ferry. It has been a pleasure to follow its construction and to witness how well the project has been advancing.
“The excellent degree of cooperation between the shipyard and its subcontractors is evident at all stages and the construction is going forward according to schedule, despite the challenges.”
Rauma Marine Constructions said work on the new ferry for Wasaline is progressing “uninterrupted”. The Aurora Botnia will operate between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden and will accommodate 800 passengers. The vessel, due to be delivered to Wasaline in spring 2021, will also have a freight capacity of 1,500 lane metres for cargo.
The Aurora Botnia will have a hybrid power generation system, as well as an electric propulsion system ‘rarely used’ in car and passenger ferries, according to Rauma. The vessel’s four main engines, supplied by Wärtsilä, will run on liquefied biogas and liquefied natural gas.
“We’re starting to put together the last blocks and the construction of the hull, as well as the fitting of the machine rooms and car decks, is proceeding at a rapid pace,” said Johanna Kaijo, project manager of the newbuilding NB6002. “A total of seven of Aurora Botnia’s blocks will be delivered from Gdansk in Poland, of which three arrived at the end of April. We are currently fitting the blocks that were delivered.”
Peter Ståhlberg, managing director of Wasaline, said: “Our vessel will be the world’s most environmentally-friendly car and passenger ferry. It has been a pleasure to follow its construction and to witness how well the project has been advancing.
“The excellent degree of cooperation between the shipyard and its subcontractors is evident at all stages and the construction is going forward according to schedule, despite the challenges.”
