A new ferry to serve on the Irish Sea will be powered by what the Guinness World Records describes as the ‘world’s most efficient four-stroke diesel engine’.

The ferry to be named the Manxman as Afloat previously reported will be the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s new flagship due for delivery in 2023.  

Technology group Wartsila has been chosen to supply the new vessel with two eight-cylinder and two 10-cylinder engines, which are recognised for a high level of fuel efficiency which reduces exhaust emissions.

The Wartsila 31 engines will be installed at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in South Korea where Manxman is being constructed. Delivery of the engines to the shipyard is expected to commence in early 2022.

Work on physically constructing a replacement for the conventional ferry, Ben-my-Chree, is due to start later this year. 

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward says reliability, efficiency and low operating costs were all key considerations in the Company’s selection.

He explained: ‘This is a major investment in our fleet and the ultimate aim for when we introduce the new addition is to provide an even higher level of service to the Island community and our customers. Alongside our drive for greater efficiency and lower emissions levels, there is also an ever-increasing focus on the environmental aspects of marine transportation so we were naturally keen to select an engine that can deliver sustainable operations.

‘We’ll continue to work closely with Wartsila design engineers and the ship builder HMD and look forward to seeing this come to fruition after many months of planning.’

James Royston, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Fleet Operations Manager, added: ‘After considering many marine engine manufacturers, Wartsila was selected for a number of factors. The firm not only has the experience and track-record required for such a project but the engine’s diesel consumption is on average around eight-per-cent lower than similar sized engines available on the market.

‘In terms of system integration and operational optimisation, we will be able to run a variety of engine combinations to ensure they are always running as close to their most efficient, while suiting both Manxman and the routes it will serve.’

Full details of the hybrid propulsion system, which includes energy storage batteries and waste heat recovery, will be provided once the full system design is completed.

A ferry newbuild for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company which is to be a Diesel Electric Hybrid powered ship, will be flagged with the Isle of Man Ship Registry, extending a longstanding relationship between the two Manx organisations.

The Steam Packet Company announced of the newbuild in July that it had signed a contract with South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for a purpose-built roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessel. The new ship will replace the firm’s conventional ferry, Ben-my-Chree, offering considerably more passenger space, enhanced on-board facilities and greater freight capability.

The Isle of Man Ship Registry is one of the world’s leading registers of ships and super yachts. Its fleet already includes the Ben-my-Chree and the Steam Packet Company’s wave-piercing high-speed catamaran, Manannan.

Chris Martin, a Senior Surveyor at the Isle of Man Ship Registry, said the registry’s role will include liaising with the Steam Packet Company, its chosen classification society Lloyd’s Register, and the shipyard during the build. The team will also advise on any novel design features to ensure compliance with international conventions. Once the new ferry enters service, the registry team will continue to provide advice and regulatory oversight.

He said: “The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is less than a mile down the road from our office and we have always had a good working relationship. We are very pleased to see that continuing with this new vessel.

“It is the Company’s first new-build vessel in 23 years, so it is an exciting project for the Steam Packet Company and the Isle of Man. From the registry’s side there is a lot more involvement when you are dealing with a new-build compared to flagging an existing ship. Our experience of new-build commercial vessels puts us in a great position to provide support throughout the construction process and beyond.”

A Diesel Electric Hybrid power system will be one of a number of features aimed at making the new ship as environmentally efficient as possible. It will also need to be capable of tolerating winter weather conditions in the Irish Sea when sailing between Douglas and Heysham, Lancashire. London-based design and engineering consultancy Houlder has been appointed to act as technical advisor during the design and build process.

Construction is due to start in the middle of next year, with delivery scheduled for spring 2023. Once in service, the Ben-my-Chree will be retained as a back-up vessel, enhancing security of the Steam Packet Company’s passenger and freight links, and providing increased capacity during major annual events such as the Isle of Man TT and Classic TT.