Ramon Llull News

Rolls-Royce Plc signed a memorandum of understanding with Spanish shipping company Baleària to design gas-powered propulsion systems for three of the company’s high-speed ferries, which currently run on diesel. Baleària, which operates ferry services between the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands in the Strait of Gibraltar and The Bahamas Islands, is proposing the conversion of three ferries from diesel to liquefied natural gas (LNG). Adolfo Utor, the Baleària Chief Executive Officer said, “This is a strategic agreement for the future of the company.

The newest Rodriquez fast ferry, The Princess, has been delivered Arab Bridge Maritime Company of Jordan in less than 12 months. Following the primary assembly and initial outfitting at the company’s Pietra Ligure shipyard, the ship was then launched and moved for final outfitting and commissioning to another Rodriquez yard, Intermarine, in La Spezia. The TMV 84, yard number 323, follows closely on the heels of another TMV 84, the “Ramon Llull” that was delivered only two months prior to Balearia. Main engines are the MTU 595 series instead of MAN B&W’s Paxman. All four waterjets are now steerable. The passenger capacity has grown from around 450 to 710. “The Princess” can carry 654 passengers in economy class, 48 in first class and there is a luxury VIP saloon for an additional 8 people.

Subsequent to extensive sea trials, the TMV 84 Ramon Llull was delivered to Spanish shipowner Balearia Eurolines Maritimes from Rodriquez Cantieri Navali’s Messina yard in Sicily – two weeks ahead of schedule. It is fitting that the vessel, which will operate on the Barcelona to Menorca route, is named after 13th Century philosopher Ramon Llull, who was born in Palma de Mallorca, made the short tip to the Ballearic Island where the vessel will operate. The sea trials, which encompassed more than three weeks, concluded on May 5, 2003, with positive results; the vessel, which can carry up to 330 tons dwt, surpassed speeds of 40 knots. Ramon Llull can hold up to 462 passengers in both tourist and first class, and holds a garage that is equipped with hydraulically hoistable ramps for 56 cars.

“Ramon Llull” (yard number 311), an 84 meter all aluminium fast ferry being built for Balearia Eurolinies Maritimes, was launched today at Rodriquez’s yard in Pietra Ligure, Italy. “Ramon Llull”, named after the thirteenth century Spanish philosopher, has a capacity for 462 passengers divided into 106 for first class, located on the upper deck, and 356 for economy class, located on the main deck. The car deck continues with the innovative arrangement found on the larger Rodriquez TMV 115 in that the central ramps can be raised to accommodate tall vehicles such as buses or trucks. With the decks lowered, the maximum car capacity is 58 cars but with the decks raised, there are 110 lane meters available for these tall vehicles yet still additional space for 22 cars.