Marine Propulsion News Roundup | March 21 – Electric retrofit for Michigan Lake Huron ferry, cruise ship fuel cells and more

Marine Propulsion News Roundup | March 21 – Electric retrofit for Michigan Lake Huron ferry, cruise ship fuel cells and more

PASSENGER VESSEL WEEK

Royal Caribbean Group joins project to develop new fuel cells for cruise ships

Photo: Silversea Cruises

Cruise company the Royal Caribbean Group, German shipyard Meyer Werft, and technology company Freudenberg e-Power Systems have launched a joint project that seeks to develop a new type of maritime fuel cell.

The first examples of the new fuel cell will be installed on Royal Caribbean’s future Nova-class ships. The fuel cell installation on each ship will cover the full hotel load to allow for zero local emissions while in port.

Silver Nova, the first Nova-class ship, is under construction at Meyer Werft’s facilities and is scheduled to enter service with Royal Caribbean subsidiary Silversea Cruises in the summer of 2023.

Mackinac Island Ferry’s Chippewa to undergo electric propulsion retrofit

Photo: Mackinac Island Ferry

Michigan operator Mackinac Island Ferry has confirmed that one of its existing passenger vessels will undergo conversion work that will enable it to operate on all-electric propulsion.

The company has secured US$3 million in grant funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to replace the two diesel engines on the passenger ferry Chippewa with new electric propulsion motors. The overhaul will commence soon and will be completed within three years, after which the vessel will resume sailings on Lake Huron.

Mackinac Island Ferry said the refitting will help reduce CO2 equivalent emissions and NOx emissions by 14,152 tonnes and 887 tonnes, respectively, over the vessel’s lifetime.

Propeller supplier selected for future Philippine Navy patrol vessels

Photo: Kongsberg Maritime

Kongsberg Maritime has confirmed the sale of six sets of controllable-pitch propeller (CPP) systems to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries for installation in six new 94-metre offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Philippine Navy.

Each propulsion set will consist of twin Kongsberg Kamewa CPP systems as well as shaft lines, hydraulic power units, local operating panels, and accessories. The first shipset will be delivered in August 2024.

The six new OPVs will each have a displacement of 2,450 tonnes, a maximum speed of 22 knots, a cruising speed of 15 knots, and a range of 5,500 nautical miles. Armament will include 76mm naval guns, autocannons, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and air defence weaponry.

South Korean yards order dual-fuel engines for HMM containerships

South Korean shipyards Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and HJ Shipbuilding and Construction (HJSC) have ordered nine MAN B&W dual-fuel engines in connection with the construction of nine 9,000TEU container vessels for local transport company HMM.

The engines will each be capable of operation on green methanol and conventional fuel oil. They will also be fitted with MAN’s proprietary exhaust gas recirculation systems.

The newbuildings will be delivered to HMM from 2025 and will operate on routes to North and South America as well as India.

Click here to read other news stories, features, opinion articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month’s Passenger Vessel Week.


Baird Maritime Gear Editor

The latest maritime gear and service news from across the globe.