First Polish DF RoPax orders for Remontowa

The ships will be operated by ferry companies Unity Line and Polferries. They will each operate with four Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines which can use bio-LNG, either on its own or blended with conventional LNG. The operators intend to run the vessels entirely on bio-LNG by 2025.

The vessels will have an overall length of 195 metres and will be capable of carrying 400 passengers, with 4,100 lane metres for vehicles. They will operate between Swinoujscie in Poland and the Swedish ports of Ystad and Trelleborg.

The efficiency of the Wärtsilä 31DF engine was a key consideration in the award of this contract. The diesel version of the engine has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine. Wärtsilä will also deliver its LNGPac fuel storage, supply, and control system.

“High efficiency and sustainability are essential in today’s operating environment, especially in the Baltic Sea which is an Emissions Control Area, the Wärtsilä 31 engine represents the latest engine technology available and this, coupled with Wärtsilä’s vast experience in LNG solutions, made the choice easy for us,” says Grzegorz Wardzyński, Technical Director of Polsteam, the parent company of Unity Line.

Wärtsilä sees LNG as an important transitional marine fuel, bridging the gap between conventional diesel fuels and future carbon-free alternatives.