OREANDA-NEWS. The Norwegian ferry market continues to reduce its environmental footprint by choosing Rolls-Royce propulsion technology.  Rolls-Royce has now signed a contract to deliver two advanced Azipull propellers to a new environmentally friendly double-ended car ferry, which will play a key role in Norway’s road network.

The ferry will operate in North Norway for its owner Torghatten Trafikkselskap, and the contract includes an option to supply propellers for two additional ferries.

These types of double-ended ferries are designed to commute back and forth between ferry quays along the rugged Norwegian coastline, and are vital connectors in the country’s road infrastructure.

The new ferry will be built by Fiskerstrand yard, near ?lesund. It will be built to run on 100 per cent bio diesel, reducing the environmental footprint in areas where electrical shore power is not available when the vessel is in port.

It has been designed to allow for future upgrades to a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electrical battery powered ferry. This will give the owner flexibility on where the ferry can operate in the future.

The main propulsion (AZP85) from Rolls-Royce will help give the ferries improved steering stability and manoeuvrability. The thrusters feature full feathering propellers so the operator can reduce the amount of engine power needed during crossings. This will help reduce fuel consumption and also increase the overall efficiency of the vessels.

In April Rolls-Royce announced similar contracts with Bast?-Fosen and Fjord 1 in Norway for azimuth propulsion systems for a total of five new double ended ferries, with the option of one more for Fjord 1.  All six ferries are designed by Multi Maritime, and included in the Helicon X3 propulsion control system from Rolls-Royce.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

  1. Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business divisions, Aerospace and Land & Sea. These business divisions address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. Land & Sea comprises Marine, Nuclear and Power Systems.
  2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
  3. Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
    • Customer – placing the customer at the heart of our business
    • Concentration – deciding where to grow and where not to
    • Cost – continually looking to increase efficiency
    • Cash – improving financial performance.
  4. Annual underlying revenue was ?14.6 billion in 2014, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at ?73.7 billion at the end of 2014.
  5. In 2014,Rolls-Royce invested ?1.2 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
  6. Rolls-Royce employs over 54,000 people in more than 50 countries. Over 15,500 of these are engineers.
  7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2014 we employed 354 graduates and 357 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes. Globally we have over 1,000 Rolls-Royce STEM ambassadors who are actively involved in education programmes and activities; we have set ourselves a target to reach 6 million people through our STEM outreach activities by 2020.