Rolls-Royce to provide power for the world’s largest hybrid ferry

Rolls-Royce has received an order for four B33:45L diesel engines to power the world’s largest hybrid ferry being built for the Norwegian cruise and transport company Color Line. The ferry is designed by Fosen and will be built at Ulstein Verft in Norway. When completed by the summer of 2019 it will operate on the crossing between Sandefjord in Norway and Strømstad in Sweden. The new Color Line ferry will be a plug-in hybrid combining diesel and electrical power. The batteries will be recharged via a power cable with electricity from Color Line’s own shore facilities, or recharged on board by the ship’s generators. The 160m-long vessel will have a capacity for 2,000 passengers and 500 cars. The four engines from Rolls-Royce are scheduled to be delivered in March 2018. The contract comes with an option to provide engines for a second vessel. Kjell Harloff, Rolls-Royce, VP, Engines – Marine, said, “The shipbuilding industry in Norway has lately proved its competitiveness internationally in the cruise and ferry market, and we are proud to be part of these innovative new building projects. Our Bergen engines have now been sold to nine vessels in this particular segment over the past year. It is a track record that demonstrates a highly attractive and competitive engine range.”