Wärtsilä to Test Hydrogen‑Biomethane Engine on Aurora Botnia Ferry

*TL;DR Wärtsilä will demonstrate a hydrogen‑biomethane combustion system on the Aurora Botnia ferry under the EU‑funded H4PERION project, targeting full‑hydrogen operation in open‑sea conditions.*

Context The Horizon Europe‑backed H4PERION programme brings together 16 partners from seven European nations to accelerate zero‑carbon shipping. The four‑year effort, running to May 2030, focuses on engine efficiency, emissions reduction and safe handling of sustainable fuels.

Key Facts Wärtsilä is developing a combustion concept that lets conventional internal combustion engines run on a hydrogen‑biomethane blend, with the goal of achieving up to 100 % hydrogen use in real sailing conditions. The company will also supply a catalyst system to curb methane slip – the release of unburned methane that undermines climate benefits.

Sea trials will take place on Wasaline’s Aurora Botnia ferry, which links Finland and Sweden. Parallel laboratory tests will use an identical full‑scale engine to mirror the ship’s operating profile. Data from both settings will feed a digital twin model, enabling continuous optimisation and future design work.

Henri Karimäki, research director at the University of Vaasa, stresses that hydrogen is a promising zero‑carbon fuel and that the project’s focus on practical application and safety is essential for industry standards. Anders Öster, Wärtsilä Marine’s research coordination manager, adds that net‑zero shipping requires cross‑industry collaboration and shared determination.

The project also includes training programmes for crew and port workers, ensuring safe fuel handling and operational readiness.

What It Means If the trials succeed, the technology could allow existing ship engines to transition to hydrogen without a complete redesign, shortening the path to carbon‑free maritime transport. Demonstrating safe, low‑emission operation on a commercial ferry will provide a template for larger vessels and encourage broader adoption of hydrogen‑based fuels across the sector.

Watch for the first sea‑trial results in 2025 and subsequent updates on how the digital twin informs next‑generation engine designs.