Technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to lead a major battery extension project on Wasaline’s ROPAX ferry Aurora Botnia, boosting its battery capacity from 2.2 MWh to 12.6 MWh—the largest marine battery hybrid system in operation worldwide. The project, booked in Q3 2025, will see Wärtsilä upgrade the ferry’s power drives, control systems, and deliver a new Energy Management System, with commissioning planned for early 2026.

“Wasaline’s commitment to decarbonised shipping operations is central to everything we do,” says Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director – Wasaline. “In this, our close cooperation with Wärtsilä is an essential element that benefits not only both our companies, and we can see that our cooperation sets standards for the whole marine sector. Through our continued collaboration, the ‘Aurora Botnia’ has become a working example of what is possible when it comes to delivering environmentally friendly transportation within shipping.”

The Aurora Botnia, operating between Vaasa, Finland, and Umeå, Sweden, currently uses dual-fuel engines running on biogas and batteries. This battery expansion further enhances its sustainability, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. The vessel, in service since 2021, already ranks among the most environmentally friendly ferries globally, supported by Wärtsilä’s ultra-low emission 31DF engines.

“Wasaline once again demonstrates its strong commitment to decarbonisation by extending the electrification capacity of this ferry. Our latest contribution will optimise the ship’s operations even further, creating fuel savings and a significant reduction in emissions,” comments Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation.

This collaboration strengthens Wärtsilä and Wasaline’s partnership, with the ferry serving as a floating testlab at Wärtsilä’s Sustainable Technology Hub to advance hybrid marine technologies.