Rolls-Royce has entered into a collaboration agreement with Spanish energy company Gas Natural Fenosa to develop and install a pure-gas Bergen C26:33 L6 AG auxiliary engine aboard the Baleària-operated ferry Abel Matutes, a 29,670gt RoPax vessel delivered in 2010.
The agreement gives Rolls-Royce its first contract for a pure-gas engine installation on a European-flagged ferry operating outside of Norwegian waters.
The engine will generate 1,560kW of clean power and will dramatically reduce the ferry’s emissions during port stays in Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.
In a related move, Baleària has reached an agreement with Spanish shipbuilder Construcciones Navales del Norte – La Naval for the construction of two LNG-fueled newbuildings, with delivery of the first vessel expected by 2018 if a firm contract is finalized.
To cost approximately EUR 350 million to build, the twin vessels will be the first in Spain to operate on LNG and among the largest in Europe. Jim Shaw
For all the latest ferry and technology news, see the Jan 2016 issue of Ships Monthly.
