Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a ten-year Lifecycle Agreement with Spanish ferry operator Baleària. The agreement covers Baleària’s new high-speed aluminium structure catamaran Ro-Pax ferry, the Margarita Salas, which recently entered service. The ship was built at the Astilleros Armon Gijon yard in Spain. It operates with four Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines, four Wärtsilä WXJ hydraulic waterjets, and features two Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems. A sister-ship, the Eleanor Roosevelt, was delivered earlier with the same Wärtsilä scope. The order for Margarita Salas was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2024.
The unique ship design delivered by the Astilleros Armon Gijon yard, combining high-speed waterjets with medium-speed gas-fuelled engines, is proving to be very successful, representing a new Ro-Pax ferry reference case. The Wärtsilä agreement will ensure that the key design values of high efficiency, unmatched customer comfort, reduced operating costs, and environmental sustainability are secured and maintained.
“We feel confident with Wärtsilä solutions which will help us to deliver the high performance and comfort level we offer to our clients, while lowering the emissions of our operations. The reliability of our service is naturally of key importance to our customers, and this agreement with Wärtsilä provides us the highest expertise from the manufacturer to optimally maintain the vessel at all times,” says Juan Pablo Molina, Corporate Technical Director, Baleària.
The agreement is designed to meet the specific operating needs and requirements of the vessel. It includes maintenance planning, spare parts and maintenance services for scheduled maintenance, operational support, and Wärtsilä’s unique Expert Insight digital predictive maintenance service.
“Following the successful delivery of our equipment to the ferry newbuild, we are proud to be supporting Baleària with keeping the vessel reliable operations as efficiently as possible during its lifecycle,” comments Miguel Sanchez, Director Sales South Europe & Africa - Wärtsilä Marine. “We have been working with the ferry industry for many years now and have seen an increased number of ferries serviced under long-term agreements, totalling 37 today. This agreement is the fifth we are honoured by Baleària and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership on this decarbonisation journey.”
The Margarita Salas operates between Barcelona, the Mallorcan port of Alcudia and Ciudadela on the island of Menorca.
Media contact for more information on this release:
Isabella Alder
Positioning and Strategic Communications Manager Wärtsilä Marine
Tel: +44 (0) 7792 681 757
marine.media@wartsila.com
Image caption: Wärtsilä has signed a ten-year Lifecycle Agreement with Baleària, covering the ferry operator’s new high-speed aluminium structure catamaran Ro-Pax ferry, the Margarita Salas, which recently entered service. © Baleària
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Wärtsilä Marine in brief
Wärtsilä Marine is a global pioneer in power, propulsion and lifecycle solutions for the marine market. We develop industry-leading technologies, advancing maritime's transition to new fuels. We support building an end-to-end digital ecosystem where all vessels and ports are connected. Ultimately, Wärtsilä Marine is driving the shipping industry forward on its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future through our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital technologies, as well as integrated powertrain systems. Our offering, which is underpinned by our performance-based agreements, upgrades, lifecycle solutions, decarbonisation services, as well as an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise, delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our planet.
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Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,800 professionals in more than 280 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.0 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
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