Wärtsilä scoops waterjets contract for Virtu Ferries’ new catamaran

Malta-based Virtu Ferries’ new high-speed ferry – set to be the largest high-speed catamaran in the Mediterranean Sea – will deploy Wärtsilä waterjets.

The scope of supply covers four Wärtsilä LJX1500SRI waterjets and a Lipstronic control system. The equipment is scheduled to be delivered to Incat Tasmania yard – which is building the ferry – in April 2018 and the ship is to be delivered to the owners at the end of 2018.

“This new vessel will be a large and powerful high-speed ferry, the Wärtsilä waterjets selected will ensure fast, efficient, and reliable operations. We have worked in close co-operation with Incat for nearly 30 years, and during this time have supplied them with modular waterjets for various vessel applications around the world. This product loyalty is the best possible endorsement of the quality and performance expected of the Wärtsilä range of waterjets,” says Arto Lehtinen, vice president, propulsion, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The 110m long wave-piercing catamaran will operate between Malta and Sicily and will complete the crossing in approximately 90 minutes. The vessel will have a capacity for 900 passengers in four lounges on two passenger decks. It will also have the equivalent of 490 truck lane metres for 167 cars. It will have a service speed of up to 38 knots.

Source: Marine Propulsion