Wärtsilä Signs 10-Year Agreement with Baleària for LNG-Powered Ferry

The Finland-headquartered technology group Wärtsilä has recently announced a ten-year lifecycle agreement with Spanish ferry operator Baleària for its latest high-speed liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered catamaran roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) ferry, the Margarita Salas.

The Margarita Salas, built at the Astilleros Armon Gijon yard in Spain, measures 123 meters in length and joined Baleària’s fleet in July 2024. The vessel is equipped with four Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines, four Wärtsilä WXJ hydraulic waterjets, and two Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, mirroring the technology present in its sister ship, the Eleanor Roosevelt.

The newly signed lifecycle agreement aims to uphold the ship’s core design principles of high efficiency, reduced operating costs, and environmental sustainability throughout its operational lifespan. This includes maintenance planning, spare parts provision, scheduled repairs, operational support, and access to Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight digital predictive maintenance service tailored to the vessel’s specific needs.

Juan Pablo Molina, Corporate Technical Director at Baleària, expressed confidence in Wärtsilä’s solutions to enhance performance and comfort for passengers while reducing emissions. He emphasized the importance of service reliability and highlighted the manufacturer’s expertise in optimizing vessel maintenance.

Commenting on the partnership, Miguel Sanchez, Director of Sales South Europe & Africa at Wärtsilä Marine, underscored the company’s commitment to supporting Baleària on its decarbonization journey. Wärtsilä has a longstanding relationship with the ferry industry, servicing a total of 37 ferries under long-term agreements, with the Baleària deal marking the fifth collaboration between the two companies.

In a separate agreement earlier this year, Wärtsilä secured a five-year lifecycle contract with Korea Maritime Transport Co. (KMTC) for two post-Panamax container vessels powered by Wärtsilä 12RT-flex96C-B two-stroke main engines. This agreement includes the Wärtsilä Health Check, an annual main engine condition assessment by technical experts.

These recent developments follow a similar deal with UK-based shipping firm P&O Ferries for the maintenance of their hybrid ferries, M/V Pioneer and M/V Liberté, demonstrating Wärtsilä’s ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive lifecycle support to its maritime partners.