Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions said Wednesday it has handed over the new LNG-powered ferry Aurora Botnia to compatriot Wasaline.
The ferry has left Rauma’s yard and it is on its way to Vaasa, Finland, where a christening ceremony would take place later on Wednesday, Rauma said in a statement.
Aurora Botnia will operate the route between Vaasa and Umea in Sweden on a daily basis.
According to Rauma, the LNG-powered vessel would embark on its maiden voyage on Saturday, August 28.
The yard previously planned to deliver the 150 meters long ship in mid-July, but the delivery has been delayed due to Covid-related issues.
To remind, the car and passenger ferry has completed its first sea trials in June.
The ferry features four Wartsila engines able to run on liquefied natural gas but also biogas (LBG).
Additionally, batteries will supply power for peak shaving and support of hotel loads, as well as for propulsion during entry and exit to and from the ports.
Thanks to these new technologies, the ferry will “significantly” lower emissions compared to the ship that has operated across the Kvarken strait, Rauma said.
The ferry will accommodate 800 passengers and has a cargo capacity of 1,500 lane meters for trucks and cars.
Kvarken Link, a firm formed by the city of Vaasa and the municipality of Umea, ordered the vessel at Rauma for about 120 million euros ($140.8 million) in January 2019. Wasaline is a unit of Kvarken Link.