Extensive equipment list ordered for nine fast ferries to be built for Italian operator Liberty Lines, with additional nine-vessel option
Rolls-Royce has won a nine-vessel propulsion contract from Spanish shipyard Armon to fit out at least nine fast ferries for Italian ferry operator Liberty Lines.
The ships will be equipped with Rolls-Royce integrated mtu hybrid propulsion systems, each comprising two mtu 16-cylinder Series 4000M65L engines, two gearboxes, two e-motors and electric systems, two variable-speed gensets, a battery system, switchboard and electrical power management system, and an mtu hybrid automation system that monitors and controls the hybrid propulsion system along with other ship systems.
"The vessels will use different operating modes as needed," Rolls-Royce said. "Purely electric, they can enter and leave ports quietly and with zero emissions at a speed of 8 knots; in hybrid mode they can reach high speed in cruise mode when travelling across the sea while simultaneously charging the batteries by the two main engines and eliminating the need to operate the gensets for hotel load. During longer stops, the batteries are charged by means of the shore power supply. Liberty Lines will have the ability to continually remotely monitor the status of the complete propulsion system via the mtu remote monitoring system."
The nine vessels on the initial contract are scheduled to enter service between 2023 and 2026. Construction of an optional nine additional ships would be planned for delivery between 2027 and 2030. The concept for the fast ferries with sustainable hybrid propulsion systems has been developed in collaboration with Liberty Lines, Armon shipyard, the Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems, the Italian ship classification society RINA and the Australian shipbuilding design company Incat Crowther, according to Rolls-Royce.
"On a kW power output basis, the engines alone in the new hybrid propulsion system will reduce CO2 emissions by 8%, soot emissions by 62% and NOx emissions by 83% compared with the fleet’s current propulsion systems. The new vessels will meet the IMO Tier III emissions standard, a very strict regulation that is not yet in force in the Mediterranean," Rolls-Royce said.
“With this project, we are making a sustainable investment in the renewal of our fleet, with the purpose to continue to offer high-quality services to our stakeholders and minimise the environmental impact to achieve an emissions-free future,” Liberty Lines chief executive Gennaro Carlo Cotella said. “The majority of our fleet has already been successfully operating with mtu engines for decades. We are convinced we made the right choice with Rolls-Royce for the supply of the innovative mtu hybrid solutions for the renewal of our fleet on the way towards carbon neutrality.”
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