AUGUST 21, 2013 — Wärtsilä is to supply the main propulsion generating sets for a double ended 100 m ferry that will be the first gas fueled ferry for a domestic route in Denmark. Designed by the Denmark's OSK-ShipTech A/S, it be built for the municipality of Samsø Kommune by Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk and will will carry passengers, cars and trucks between Jutland and the island of Samsø.

The vessel is scheduled to be operational in autumn 2014.

The ferry will be powered by four Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will have extremely low emission levels. The dual-fuel engine technology allows a seamless switch to conventional marine fuels if necessary, thus providing the operator with a high level of redundancy.

The ferry project is seen as setting an environmental benchmark for inland ferries, and is being closely followed by other municipalities and governmental bodies in Denmark and abroad.

Samsø Kommune actively promotes environmental sustainability through its "Green Island" image featuring renewable energy, low pollution and recycling activities.

The new ferry will be one of the smallest ships to be powered by Wärtsilä 20DF engines. It is also the first Danish ferry to be operated on LNG fuel, and the design of the vessel is tailored to its operating profile and route.

LNG bunkering is planned to take place in the Hou harbor in Jutland.

"The overriding priorities for the owners were to achieve the highest possible level of operational reliability to support the local business but with focus on environmental sustainability, which, among others, means to ensure excellent overall efficiency in energy consumption. By selecting Wärtsilä technology these aims will be met, and we are delighted to be a partner in this trend setting project," says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power.