Rolls-Royce to supply engines for five LNG electric hybrid ferries

Ferries are being built to Multi Maritime MM125FD LNG design.

JUNE 1, 2017 — Rolls-Royce has signed a deal to supply 15 Bergen gas engines to Norwegian Ferry Company, Torghatten Nord AS. They will power five 134 m passenger and car ferries of Multi Maritime MM125FD LNG design.

Kjell Harloff, Rolls-Royce, Vice President, Engines – Marine said: “Since the introduction of our first marine gas engines ten years ago, Rolls-Royce has delivered more than 700 gas engines on land and at sea accumulating over 25 million running hours of operating experience. We have proved that the Bergen lean-burn, pure gas, medium-speed engine range, combined with efficient hull designs, can help customers, like Torghatten Nord, cut their ships’ emissions and fuel bills significantly.

The five ferries will all operate at the busy Halhjem-Sandvikvåg route in Western Norway and will be equipped with a gas electric hybrid propulsion system. The battery system will be arranged with capability for fast charging from shore.

All 15 engines are nine cylinder in-line in C26:33L9AG gensets The engine can operate on variable speed to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. The C-gas engine has an operating speed of 1,000 rpm and power of 2,430 kW.

Two of the vessels will be built at the Vard Brevik, shipyard in Norway while the other three will be built at the Tersan Shipyard, Turkey. The vessels are expected to enter service in January 2019.

The Bergen C26:33 series engines reduces total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 20 % compared to a similar diesel engine, even including the effects of methane slip, and are IMO Tier 3 compliant without the need of exhaust after treatment system.

Engine rooms on gas powered vessels also stay much cleaner, saving operators time and money by reducing the frequency of cleaning tasks and the cost of chemicals.

The whole LNG system is designed for safety with double walled stainless steel containment.

Bergen C26:33 series engines are in operation across a range of vessel types including cargo vessels, PSVs and tugs as well as passenger vessels.

Torghatten Nord currently has 33 ferries and 10 express boats in operation in Norway. Four earlier LNG ferries, with Bergen gas engines, were built by Polish shipbuilder Remontowa and have been operating on two routes serving Lofoten.