MAN Diesel Supplies CR Engine, Propellers and GenSets for STENA Super Ferries

VBS1560 CP Propeller

In a contract involving the world’s largest Ro-Pax ferries, MAN Diesel will supply complete propulsion packages based on its latest common rail engine, the medium speed 48/60 CR. The two new ferries are to be built by the Aker Yards Group for the STENA LINE. At 62,000 GT and 240 metres overall, the newbuildings feature a record-breaking 5,500 metres of trailer lanes, 700 metres of car lanes and facilities for 1,200 passengers. They are due to be delivered from Aker Yards’ facilities in Germany during 1st and 3rd quarters of 2010.

Under MAN Diesel’s program of progressively introducing common rail fuel injection technology onto its four stroke medium speed engines, the common rail version of the well-established 48/60 engine closely follows the September 2006 launch of the all-new 560 kW per cylinder 32/44 CR engine. The 48/60 CR engines for the new Ro-Pax ferries offer 1200 kW per cylinder at 500 rpm and are used in a four engine, twin propulsion train dieselmechanical system.

In a “father and son” engine arrangement, each train consists of one inline eight cylinder 8L48/60 CR and one six cylinder 6L48/60 CR connected by a twin input shaft, single output shaft type NDSHL-3400 double reduction gear from the Rheine works of MAN Diesel’s sister company Renk AG. The gears also feature shaft alternators driven from 3,000 kW PTO’s. Completing the MAN Diesel propulsion packages are twin 5.2 metre type VBS1560, Controllable Pitch Propellers from its Frederikshavn works, 41 metre shaft lines and ODF servo systems, together with the Alphatronic 2000 Propulsion Control and Management System for engine control room, main bridge and bridge wing consoles. The overall machinery package of each vessel is completed by MAN Diesel GenSets. Each vessel features four generator sets based on one 7L21/31 and three 6L21/31 engines. The generating sets and main engines are all resiliently mounted for the highest levels of onboard comfort for passengers and crew.

In the MAN Diesel common rail system, these advantages are complemented by modular design and suitability for retrofitting on engines already in the field. For example, the high pressure pumps of the MAN Diesel common rail system are installed in the same bores used for the conventional unit pumps in a conventional injection system and the pressure accumulators (common rails) are segmented to make best use of available space on the engine between the injection pumps and the injectors. In addition, the injectors used are standard, pressure controlled units controlled by solenoid valves mounted at the accumulator outlets.