Voith has announced the first Voith Linear Jet (VLJ) order, with Turbine Transfers UK for a 19-metre wind support vessel, designed by BMT Nigel Gee.
The VLJ will provide a substantially higher bollard pull without a requirement for increased installed power. This higher bollard pull will allow Turbine Transfers the safe transfer of personnel up to higher sea-states. Turbine Transfers – a wholly owned subsidiary of Holyhead Towing Company – currently operates a fleet of over 20 fast catamarans that transport personnel and equipment to and from offshore wind turbines. Its long-term customers include Siemens, RWE npower, Van Oord, Dong Energy, EnBW and Royal Boskalis Westminster.
The VLJ, a new ship propulsor, will give naval architects new ways to optimise their vessel designs. The VLJ employs the simplicity and efficiency of a conventional propeller installation, yet delivers the possibility to design for 40 knot top speeds without the shake, rattle and roll of an extreme power-dense propeller. Similar to a propeller, the efficiency is at a constant high level relative to the ship speed.
This gives a VLJ-equipped ship a considerable range advantage against its waterjet sister vessel. Typical VLJ applications will be any ship with a mixed operating profile between low speed cruising and sprint speeds like naval and coast-guard vessels and yachts. Ferries operating at sustained speeds around 30 knots employing high-speed or medium-speed diesel or LNG engines will also benefit of this new propulsion option.
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