DECEMBER 3, 2012 — Wärtsilä has been awarded the contract to supply the gas powered propulsion machinery and corresponding gas storage and handling systems for the LNG-fueled ferry on order for Canada's Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri (see earlier story).

The will be the first North American ferry to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will be used on routes crossing the St. Lawrence River. Delivery is set for late 2014. The Wärtsilä equipment is due to be delivered in fall 2013.

The Wärtsilä 34 dual-fuel generating sets that will provide the main power generation will enable the ship to comply with the stringent emission regulations applicable to its area of operation. By operating on LNG, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are at least 85 percent below those specified in IMO regulations, and the CO2 emissions are some 25 percent less than those of a conventional marine engine running on diesel fuel. SOx and particle emissions are negligible at almost zero percent.

In addition to the four main power generating sets, Wärtsilä will also supply its innovative LNGPac system. Designed and developed by Wärtsilä, the LNGPac comprises onboard LNG bunkering, storage tanks and handling equipment, as well as the related safety control and automation systems.

The entire Wärtsilä propulsion solution is designed with a focus on safety and simplicity. All engines can be seamlessly switched to marine diesel oil (MDO) operation, should gas not be available, thus full redundancy can be achieved. This ensures that the safety factor is at the highest possible level.

"Wärtsilä is the established global leader in dual-fuel and gas engine technologies. All in all, Wärtsilä has now sold more than 2,000 of its gas fuelled engines, which together have accumulated more than seven million operational running hours in both land-based and marine applications. We are extremely proud to be contributing in a meaningful way towards more sustainable shipping," says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Power, Sales.

"I am very happy with the outcome of the very demanding design and construction process for this new ship due to start service in Matane, Baie-Comeau and Godbout in 2015. At 130 meters long and with a capacity for 800 passengers and 180 cars, the new ferry will be much larger and better equipped than the "Camille-Marcoux" that it will replace. Its larger hold capacity will be suitable for all types of vehicles. The crossing will be a more pleasant experience for passengers," comments Georges Farrah, CEO of STQ.

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