Rolls-Royce ferry propulsion contract

Rolls-Royce will provide the main propellers and propulsion control system to a new passenger ferry ordered by Mols-Linien.

Ordered from the Rauma Marine Constructions yard in Finland, the ship plans to operate between mainland Denmark and the island of Bornholm.

“By adapting the propeller and rudder into one propulsive unit, Promas offers increased propulsive efficiency and improved manoeuvrability. It is chosen by both conventional single and twin screw ships, such as the passenger ferry to be constructed for Mols-Linien,” said Gary Nutter, Rolls-Royce, director products.

Rolls-Royce will deliver two units of a Promas system which integrates the controllable pitch propeller, a propeller hub cap, a rudder with bulb and a twisted leading edge into one hydrodynamically optimized unit.

Gearboxes, steering gears, two tunnel thrusters in the bow and a control system are part of the delivery.

Alongside this, cavitation tests at the Rolls-Royce Hydrodynamic Research Centre (HRC) in Kristinehamn, Sweden are also included in the order. At the facility, the performance of the combined propeller and rudder system (Promas) will be controlled and tested prior to manufacturing.

The HRC includes a large cavitation tunnel where a model of the ship’s hull, with the ordered propulsion set up, will perform in different operating conditions. Model testing can lead to important and cost-saving adjustments in a product or ship design.

Göran Grunditz, Rolls-Royce, Manager HRC, concluded: “Cavitation tests are digitally documented and log efficiency, cavitation performance and risk of cavitation erosion on the equipment. The tests provide us, the yard and the owner with useful data related to estimated future fuel consumption and can also help the owner when planning for future services intervals.”

The new passenger ferry for Mols-Linien will have a capacity of 600 people and two decks totalling 1,500 lane metres for transportation of cars and trailers. It is planned to enter operation in September 2018.