Lopez Mena News

Wärtsilä's axial waterjets power the Francisco, claimed to be the world's fastest high-speed ferry and the first fast ferry to utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. The vessel has successfully passed its sea trials and is now ready to commence commercial operations. Wärtsilä has provided the waterjets for what is claimed to be the world's fastest high speed ferry. In addition to two of its LJX1720SR axial waterjets, Wärtsilä has also supplied an advanced propulsion control system for the Francisco.

Incat's dual fuel fast ferry has commenced sea trials in Hobart Tasmania. The 99-meter vessel's twin LNG tanks were loaded with LNG for the first time last week. Testing of the gas system went underway with the GE LM2500 gas turbine engines being run on gas for the first time on May 27 at the wharf and at sea on May 30. The gas trials are scheduled to continue. Lopez Mena (Incat hull 069) was sea trialed with ballast for a 1,460-ton displacement trial comfortably exceeding 50 knots at full power and maintaining a steady 49 knots at 90% power while operating on marine distillate.