By
Rebecca Gibson |
Rolls-Royce is to supply four B33:45L diesel engines to power the world’s largest hybrid ferry, which is being built for Norwegian operator Color Line.
Designed by Fosen, the 160-metre long newbuild will be built at Ulstein Verft in Norway and will be a plug-in hybrid ferry that operates using both diesel and electrical power. The batteries will be recharged via a power cable with green electricity from Color Line’s own shore facilities, or recharged onboard by the ship’s generators.
Rolls-Royce will deliver the four engines in March 2018, and the contract includes an option to provide engines for a second vessel.
“The shipbuilding industry in Norway has lately proven its competitiveness internationally in the cruise and ferry market, and we are proud to be part of these innovative newbuilding projects,” said Kjell Harloff, vice president of Engines – Marine at Rolls-Royce. “Our Bergen engines have now been sold to nine vessels in this particular segment over the past year. It is a track record which demonstrates a highly attractive and competitive engine range.”
Scheduled for delivery in summer 2019, Color Line’s new ferry will be able to accommodate 2,000 passengers and 500 cars. The vessel will operate on the crossing between Sandefjord in Norway and Strømstad in Sweden.