Rolls-Royce has received an order from Penguin Shipyard International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based shipbuilder and shipowner Penguin International Limited, to supply eight mtu Series 4000 engines for two new aluminium ro-pax fast ferries.
The vessels are being built at Penguin’s Batam shipyard for the port and ship operator Abu Dhabi Ports Group from the UAE. Designed by Incat Crowther UK for construction by Penguin, the 56m, ro-ro-off vessels will in late 2024 replace existing ferries that are plying between the UAE mainland and Delma Island, located some 42km offshore. With the four 16-cylinder mtu Series 4000 engines per vessel delivering together more than 10,000 kW (about 14,000 hp) of power, the aluminum ferries are expected to run at speeds of well above 30 knots, significantly reducing travel time for up to 250 passengers and 25 cars per trip.
Chew Xiang Yu, Director Marine APAC, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “We are very pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with Penguin Shipyard International, an expert in high-speed aluminium vessels, who have once again chosen us as their propulsion supplier. This order also confirms that our propulsion solutions continue to be in high demand in the fast ferry market”.
Rolls-Royce has been supplying mtu engines to Penguin for more than ten years. As recently as spring 2023, Rolls-Royce Power Systems received an order for six 16-cylinder mtu Series 4000 engines for two new fire fighting and rescue vessels being built by Penguin for the marine division of the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
James Tham, MD Penguin International, said: “Over the past decade, we have come to appreciate Rolls-Royce and their mtu solutions as our go-to partners in the powering of mission-critical high-speed vessels. Rolls-Royce is a dependable partner in good times and bad. They provide excellent customer experience for each project.”
For the Abu Dhabi RoPaxes, mtu engines were selected based on their robustness and fuel efficiency. The Series 4000 engines are capable of operating continuously at high power, without power loss, in elevated ambient temperatures. Around 850 fast ferries worldwide operate with mtu propulsion systems from Rolls-Royce. The company beives that no other engine brand is on board so many fast ferries.
Denise Kurtulus, VP Global Marine, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “We know what ferry operators need and are constantly working to further develop our range of solutions. Our engines have a high power density, are particularly reliable and are efficient with low fuel consumption and low life cycle costs – which is exactly why operators of fast ferries, double-ended ferries and catamarans choose mtu propulsion systems.”
The mtu Series 4000 engines, along with mtu exhaust aftertreatment systems, are certified for EPA Tier 4 and IMO III emissions regulations and are now also approved for sustainable fuels such as HVO.
