The new Wasaline RoPax ferry, currently under construction at the Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) yard in Finland, will be fitted with the technology group Wärtsilä’s Nacos Platinum navigation and communication system. This latest order, placed with Wärtsilä in August, is part of a comprehensive package of Wärtsilä products, systems and integrated solutions, including Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines, hybrid propulsion and power management. The new ferry will also have the capability to operate on LNG and BioLNG fuel, making it one of the world’s most efficient and environmentally sustainable vessels.
Wärtsilä’s Nacos Platinum system represents a unique combination of control systems for navigation, automation, power and propulsion, as well as the Wärtsilä Data Bridge platform. By integrating all these functions into a single integrated system, the vessel can be navigated, controlled and monitored from various onboard positions. The truly multifunctional operator stations enable unequaled flexibility and convenience. The Wärtsilä Data Bridge solution enables advanced Wärtsilä data analytics optimized by Eniram that give insights into the vessel’s performance, thereby unlocking further potential for enhancing the vessel’s operational and technical efficiency.
With ship systems becoming increasingly connected, Wärtsilä’s competences in advanced electrical and automation (E&A) solutions is playing an important role in the development of intelligent vessels. The Nacos Platinum system is a key ingredient in fully connected vessels.
“Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine approach is to develop technologies that enable greater efficiency and better environmental performance, and that approach is perfectly defined with our solutions for this vessel,” said Henrik Wilhelms, director of offshore and special vessels at Wärtsilä Marine. He pointed to the 50% reduction in CO2 emissions of the current ferry serving this route as an example.
“Our ferry will be something exceptional and it will feature the most advanced and reliable technology,” said Peter Ståhlberg, CEO of Wasaline. “After 21 years as captain in all waters, I have experienced most of the systems on the market. For us the Wärtsilä solutions were the best choice as the products and systems meet all our requirements.”
The Wasaline ferry service between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden is operated by NLC Ferry, and this latest addition to the fleet is scheduled for delivery in April 2021.