EMEA News
Rolls-Royce to Design Systems for Spanish LNG Ferries
Rolls-Royce Plc says it will design gas-powered propulsion systems for three high-speed ferries operated by Spanish shipping company Baleària.
"This is a strategic agreement for the future of the company," said Baleària CEO Adolfo Utor.
"The change in fuels will allow us to have high-speed, more competitive vessels available and, at the same time, be more respectful towards the environment, given that this fuel reduces CO2 emissions by 25%."
The ferries currently run on diesel, but Baleària, which serves routes between mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Bahamas Islands, wants to convert them to liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel it says is cheaper and produces fewer emissions.
"There is no doubt that popularity of LNG as a marine fuel is increasing, as stricter emission controls and higher fuel costs continue to drive the strategic decisions of shipping companies," said Neil Gilliver, Rolls-Royce, President – Merchant.
"This is our first LNG project in Spain, which joins a growing list of countries where operators are keen to investigate the potential applications for a marine fuel that will reduce emissions and reduce operating costs."
Baleària said in November that it planned to convert four of its nine high-speed vessels to LNG fuel over five years.
