LNG-powered Fjord Line Ferries 'World's Cleanest'
Fjord Line's liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered newbuildings have claimed a new title as the 'world's cleanest ferries'. The Bergensfjord and Stavangerford have won the respective first and second places on the World Ports Climate Environmental Ship Index (ESI), which measures the emissions of over 3000 ships.
The LNG-fuelled ferries are both powered by four Rolls-Royce BV12PG gas engines that drive highly efficient Rolls-Royce PROMAS integrated rudder and propellers.
Of the 3194 ships currently on the ESI list, Bergensfjord scored 93.9 points followed by sister vessel Stavangerfjord with 93.5. Only 50 vessels had a score higher than 49.
Fjord Line’s Technical and Nautical Director, Morten Larsen said Rolls Royce’s engines were responsible for the high position on the list. The ferry company has also eliminated traditional lighting systems, in favour of LEDs, to further reduce the amount of energy consumed.
John Knudsen, President Commercial Marine, Rolls-Royce, said: “These remarkable ferries are driven exclusively by natural gas. One reason for the high ESI score is that the Rolls-Royce Bergen engines only use LNG and do not need oil fuel for pilot injection. The result is that the BV12PGs emit zero oxides of sulfur, reduce oxides of nitrogen by 98% and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 23%.”
Ships are voluntarily submitted by shipowners to be ranked in the index, with vessels that are higher ranked receiving more favourable terms from participating ports, which includes both the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The ESI is a project within the World Ports Climate Initiative and is used by ports to reward shipowners for their commitment to greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Delivered in 2013, the 25,000gt first of class Stavangerfjord won the Nor-Shipping Energy Efficiency award in June last year.
