Alaska Class ferries to have Rolls-Royce propulsion system

Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion system

JANUARY 13, 2015 — The Alaska Marine Highway System and shipbuilder Vigor Industrial have selected Rolls-Royce to provide a highly efficient propulsion system for the two Alaska Class ferries to be built by Vigor Shipyards in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Each ferry will be 280 feet long, seat up to 300 passengers and carry more than 50 standard vehicles; and will feature bow and stern doors, for quicker loading and unloading, and fully enclosed car decks.

They will feature a range of Rolls-Royce technology, including reduction gearboxes, tunnel thrusters and steering gears.

A Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion system, which integrates controllable pitch propellers and rudders, will increase fuel efficiency and enhance maneuverability.

“We are delighted to work with the Alaska Marine Highway System and Vigor Shipyards to provide a robust and fuel efficient propulsion system for these new ferries that will benefit the state and people of Alaska for many decades to come,” says Tor-Gunnar Hovig, SVP Commercial Marine, North America – Rolls-Royce. “What is also exciting about this contract is that it represents the first time a ferry operator in North America will utilize our Promas integrated propeller and rudder system, which improves the propulsion performance by means of  increasing the efficiency, resulting in lower fuel consumption compared to traditional systems. To date, more than 60 new build ships feature Promas with close to 40 already retrofitted with the system.”