Wärtsilä is to supply its dual-fuel engine to power two new sail-assisted cruise ships for Orient Express, part of French hospitality group, Accor. The vessels are currently being built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. As part of the deal, there is an option to supply engines for two additional vessels.
According to the technology group, the Wärtsilä 25DF engine is the “most efficient and most environmentally friendly marine engine in its power range”. The engine features a two-stage turbocharging system, common rail fuel injection, and cylinder wise combustion control, which allows “unparalleled power density and efficiency” to deliver low fuel consumption and reduced emissions. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the shipyard in autumn 2024.
“The Wärtsilä 25DF is an engine that supports the shipping industry’s transition to greater fuel efficiency and a much-reduced carbon footprint,” said Stefan Nysjö, vice president of power supply at Wärtsilä Marine Power. “It marks the beginning of a new era of future-proof, medium-speed, small-bore engines, and comes as an important step towards the maritime industry meeting its decarbonisation goals. We are delighted that it has been selected for these very advanced cruise vessels.”
The Orient Express cruise ships have been designed to accommodate 116 passengers and will run on LNG, as well as having a SolidSail rigs propulsion system. The first vessel, due to begin sailing in 2026, will be named Orient Express Silenseas.
“These will be very special cruise vessels and have been designed to operate with a high level of environmental sustainability,” said Yann Penduff, project manager at Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “For this reason, the Wärtsilä 25DF engine was selected. It is silent, compact in size yet powerful in performance, so it was the perfect choice for these ships.”
Source: cruiseandferry.net
