A new hybrid ropax ferry, Aurora Botnia, ordered by Finland’s Wasaline and built at Rauma Marine Constructions, was christened yesterday at a ceremony in Vaasa, the ferry company’s home town.
The €120m ship, with DNV Clean Design notation, has been billed as the world’s most environmentally friendly car and passenger ferry. It will operate a daily service between Vaasa and Umeå in Sweden.
The 150m ropax, with capacity for 800 passengers and 1,500 lane metres of rolling cargo, is powered by LNG and capable of operating on batteries during manoeuvring and port operations. The vessel can also use biogas as a drop-in fuel, or as a principal source of power when suitable supplies are available.
Rauma Marine Constructions’ CEO and president, Jyrki Heinimaa, commented: “It is of paramount importance for both the customer and the environment to build ships that stand the test of time. The ships we build today must also be able to operate in decades’ time without massive modifications or, at worst, scrapping. Aurora Botnia’s ability to utilise biogas is one way to meet this challenge.”
Source: Seatrade Maritime
