Rolls-Royce Teams up with Lauro Shipping to Design LNG-Powered Ro-Pax Ferry

Rolls-Royce and Italian ferry operator, Lauro Shipping, have teamed up to design an innovative new gas-powered class of ferry based on the award-winning Environship concept.

This important agreement marks the first time that a customer will utilise the Environship concept for a passenger vessel. This follows previous orders for cargo ships which all benefit from a range of technologies that will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent compared to similar diesel-powered ships.

This agreement covers the basic design of a new ship class, which will be scalable for smaller and larger versions. Rolls-Royce and Lauro Shipping will jointly develop the design, prior to engaging with suitable shipyards.

Salvatore Lauro, Chief Executive said: “We’re pleased to announce this teaming agreement with Rolls-Royce to jointly develop an innovative, environmentally friendly Ro-Pax ferry design that will meet the latest technological requirements for emissions while reducing fuel consumption and operational costs.”

Neil Gilliver, Rolls-Royce, President – Merchant said: “This latest development for our Environship concept is proof that there’s a genuine desire from ship owners to embrace cutting edge marine technology to reduce environmental impact. We look forward to working with Lauro Shipping on this exciting project, which could be the first gas powered ferry operating in the Mediterranean.”

Technology

The new ferry concept will include Bergen B&C Series lean burn gas engines which emit around 22 percent less CO2, 90 percent less NOx, and negligible amounts of SOx (per unit of power) than a diesel engine. These engines will be coupled to a Promas 2 propulsion system which combines a propeller and rudder, reducing overall hull resistance by between 5 and 8 percent while at the same time enhancing maneuverability.

Another feature of the propulsion system is the Rolls-Royce Hybrid Shaft Generator (HSG) which produces electrical power from the propulsion engines instead of running auxiliary diesel generators. This optimizes on board power generation, cutting fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

The hull form was also optimized with a “wave piercing” profile which enhances the vessel’s motion characteristics in a seaway while improving efficiency by up to 8 percent.

This is the latest in a series of recent wins for Rolls-Royce LNG powered ships, which includes the world’s first gas powered tugs, coastal cargo ships and passenger ferries. The world’s first LNG powered cargo ship, powered by Rolls-Royce, entered service in Norway earlier this year.

Lauro Shipping is one of the largest ferry operators in Italy’s Campania region, providing connections to the islands of Capri and Ischia and specialising in high speed ferries. The company has also recently acquired Siremar which operates services to Sicily.