By
Rebecca Gibson |
Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) has supplied four main engines for Texelstroom, one of the world's first hybrid ro-pax-ferries, which has been delivered to Koninklijke N.V. Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming (Royal TESO) in the Netherlands.
ABC delivered two dual-fuel (CNG + diesel) generator sets that each provide Texelstroom with 2MW of power at 1,000rpm when an air/gas mixture is injected into the engine cylinders. The powerful ignition makes it possible to work with different gases of low calorific value and fluctuating ignition quality. The natural gas also significantly reduces soot and sulphur dioxide emissions.
In normal weather conditions, Texelstroom will use one dual-fuel generating set during the majority of the crossing between Den Helder and Texel island. However, the ferry can quickly switch to operating on two diesel generator sets that each provide 2MW of power at 750rpm if necessary.
Additional energy is provided by an electric battery pack powered by 700sqm of photovoltaic panels on the ferry’s roof. This can be used for the propulsion, or to provide onboard electricity.
“We want to thank Royal TESO for its confidence in our engines and wish the company all the best in the continued operation of the ferry service between Texel and Den Helder,” said Jean-Pierre Props, area sales manager at Anglo Belgian Corporation.
Texelstroom, which features a symmetrical double-ended design, is the first vessel of its kind to be built at Spanish shipyard La Naval. C-Job Naval Architects was responsible for the complete initial, concept and basic design of the vessel, including innovations like the CNG-Electric Hybrid propulsion system, solar panels, peak shaving batteries, and the T-shaped main cross section. Meanwhile, the interiors and exteriors were designed by Dutch yacht design firm Vripack, and the vessel was outfitted by Oliver Design.
The ferry will transport 1,750 passengers and vehicles between Den Helder and Texel, the largest port in the Friesian islands, several times a day.
“With Texelstroom, TESO wanted to achieve its ambition where environmental benefits, cost control and quality improvement go together,” said Cees de Waal, director of TESO. “The ship embodies the latest technologies for reducing emissions. This next-generation ferry will sail our passengers in a comfortable and efficient way across the Marsdiep. With regards to the propulsion, it was very important to choose environmentally friendly and reliable engines.”