Viking Line Presents a Highly Innovative and Efficient Ferry, the NB1376

Currently under construction at the STX Finland yard in Turku, the NB 1376 represents a completely new generation of ferries with it’s revolutionary Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) fuel system built by Wärtsilä, interior design by the award-winning dSign Vertti Kivi & co, and a host of other innovations providing the passengers with a totally new and fresh cruise experience.

Wärtsilä’s scope of supply for this contract includes four Wärtsilä 8L50DF main engines, the transverse bow and stern tunnel thrusters, and two stainless steel fixed pitch, built-up main propellers with complete propeller shaft lines and environmentally sound shaft line seal systems. The propellers are designed with the lowest possible pressure impulses for superb vibration control.

The vessel will be fueled by LNG, meaning that sulphur oxide emissions will be almost zero, and nitrogen oxide emissions will be at least 80 percent below the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) current stipulated level. Furthermore, there is a reduction of particulate emissions of more than 90 percent compared to the emissions from conventional diesel engines, while carbon dioxide emissions are also 20-30 percent lower. The use of Wärtsilä’s duel-fuel engine technology will enable this ferry to sail without restrictions in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) and Nitrogen Emission Control Areas (NECAs). LNG offers the most economical and environmentally sound solution for the future.

To further increase this vessel’s efficiency, Viking Line chose ABB‘s EMMA energy management system to manage energy-related processes, practices and decisions on the new ferry, and to use fuel efficiently from the very first day of operation. This software is the most advance optimization system available to the marine industry by comparing and analyzing the historical and current operational data of the vessel, then advising on areas for improvement with easy-to-understand displays. It also includes an extended energy management tool that models energy consumption and calculates optimal operating conditions, so that ships can perform at the highest possible fuel and energy efficiency.

“One of the top priorities at Viking Line is to lower the emissions and fuel consumption on our fleet . We were looking for a good monitoring tool that automatically regulated power consumption and was as easy to operate as a traffic light as a result ABB’s EMMA became our first choice,” said Kari Granberg, Project Manager at Viking Line Abp.

With its Liquefied Natural Gas powered engines, hydrodynamically optimized hull design and new soundproofing technology, when she is delivered in 2013, NB 1376 will be the greenest and quietest ferry in the Baltic Sea, and in the world.