Five Norwegian ferries to have Rolls-Royce thrusters

Bastø-Fosen ferries will each have two Azipull 100 azimuth thrusters

APRIL 8, 2015 — Rolls-Royce has signed contracts to supply azimuth propulsion systems for five new double ended ferries on order for Norwegian operators Bastø-Fosen and Fjord 1.

The ferries are scheduled to enter into service along the coast of Norway in the summer of 2016. All five are designed by Multi Maritime, Førde, Norway, and all will be built by Turkish shipbuilders.

Three of the vessels are being built for Bastø-Fosen and will be 142 m long, with a capacity for 200 cars, 600 passengers and between 24 and 30 trucks. Two of the Bastø-Fosen vessels are being built at the Sefine Shipyard, and the third at Cemre Shipyard.

The two remaining ferries are for Fjord 1. They will be 74 m long, with a capacity for 60 cars and up to 199 passengers. They are being built at the Ada Shipyard.

The double-enders are designed to commute back and forth between ferry terminals along the rugged Norwegian coastline. The azimuth thrusters will help give them improved steering stability and maneuverability. The thrusters are also equipped with full feathering propellers so the operator can reduce the amount of engine power needed during crossings. This will help reduce fuel consumption and also increase the overall efficiency of the vessels.

Helge Gjerde, Rolls-Royce, SVP Commercial Marine, said: “We are very proud to support these ferries which are part of Norway’s key coastal transportation system. Norwegian ferry owners have been in the forefront of ship technology for many years, and seek environmental friendly and reliable solutions for traveling in the Norwegian fjords and along the coastline. It’s also close to home for us, with our Rolls-Royce Marine base in Norway.”

The three larger Bastø-Fosen ferries are equipped with two Azipull 100 azimuth thrusters which are placed one in each end of the ferry. They also have Rolls-Royce Helicon X3 propulsion control systems.

The two Fjord 1 ferries will each have Azipull AZP85 azimuth thrusters, also with Helicon X3 propulsion control systems. The ferries are scheduled to enter into service along the coast of Norway in the summer of 2016.

The contract value to Rolls-Royce is £5.5 million (about $8.2 million) in total.