Norwegian ferry operator opts for non-SCR GE diesels

Bastø Fosen has chosen GE diesels for three newbuilds and two repowers

FEBRUARY 12, 2015 — GE Marine reports that Norwegian ferry operator Bastø Fosen will be among the first North European customers to operate the new GE diesel engines that meet IMO Tier III emissions without Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) after treatment or urea injection.

Bastø Fosen has ordered six, eight-cylinder in-line engines for three new ferries and two, 16-cylinder V engines to re-power two existing vessels– Bastø I and Bastø II.

The repowered vessels are scheduled to begin operating in early 2016, and the new vessels will launch later that year.

The 142.9 m x 20.7 m newbuilds will carry 200 cars and 600 passengers and were designed by Norway’s Multi Maritime AS. They are being built by Turkish shipbuilders — three at Selfine shipyard and the fourth at Cemre shipyard.

“We chose the new GE Marine engines for their ability to meet IMO Tier III emissions requirements without urea aftertreatment. We value their reliability and low fuel consumption,” said Stein Andre Herigstad, CFO Bastø Fosen.

Bastø Fosen, part of Torghatten Group ASA, is a major ferry operator in Norway providing annual transit service to more than 1.7 million vehicles and 3.4 million passengers.

Local support for Bastø Fosen will be provided by GE’s distributor, Turner EPS.

“We are extremely pleased Bastø Fosen selected GE. We look forward to providing our advanced technology IMO Tier III solution, which operates more efficiently and meets the most stringent global environmental regulations to date,” said Afra Gerstenfeld, General Manager of GE Marine.

GE Marine was recently granted U.S. EPA Tier 4 certification for its 12-cylinder V250 marine diesel engine and is working to achieve U.S. EPA Tier 4 and IMO Tier III certification for its entire family of V250 and L250 marine diesel engine models that all utilize non-SCR, non-urea, technology to reduce key emissions by an estimated 70%.