Rolls-Royce has announced a teaming agreement with Italian company Lauro Shipping to design innovative new gas powered ferries based on Rolls-Royce’s Environship concept, the first such application for a passenger vessel.
Neil Gilliver, Rolls-Royce, president merchant, said: “This latest development for our Environship concept is proof that there’s a genuine desire from ship owners to embrace cutting edge marine technology to reduce environmental impact. We look forward to working with Lauro Shipping on this exciting project, which could be the first gas powered ferry operating in the Mediterranean."
Previous Environship designs for cargo ships aim to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40% compared to similar diesel powered ships. The new agreement covers the basic design of a new ship class, which will be scalable for smaller and larger versions. Rolls-Royce and Lauro Shipping will jointly develop the design, designated NVC 256, prior to engaging with suitable ship yards.
The ferry concept will incorporate Rolls-Royce systems, equipment and ship design, including Bergen LNG-fuelled engines, wave piercing bow and the Promas 2 combined propeller and rudder. Another feature of the propulsion system is the Rolls-Royce hybrid shaft generator which produces electrical power from the propulsion engines instead of running auxiliary diesel generators. This optimises on board power generation, cutting fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
