Sea trials for first mobile pure gas 16V 4000 series

On 27 May the passenger ferry Willem Barentsz of Redereij Doeksen left the port for its first test run.

“I am really impressed with the mobile MTU gas engines. So far, they have met all our expectations in terms of performance, smooth operation, very low noise and excellent transient behaviour,” said Paul Melles, managing director of Rederij Doeksen.

Despite the travel restrictions and quarantine conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rolls Royce together with Doeksen and other partners found a solution to make the Willem Barentsz operational.

“This successful first test drive is an important milestone for us,” explained Knut Müller, head of naval and governmental business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Martin Teigeler, head of engineering at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, added, “With already 3,000 engines built we are showcasing our expertise in stationary gas engines. With the Doeksen commissioning we are proving our capability to develop mobile high-speed engines.”

Two mobile 16-cylinder gas engines power the 70m Willem Barentsz which can carry up to 600 passengers. The MTU Series 4000 engines each have an output of 1,492 kilowatts and reach a top speed of 14 knots. Together with its sister ship Willem de Vlamingh, which will go into service in summer, the ferries will shuttle in the Wadden Sea between Harlingen in the Netherlands and the islands of Vlieland and Terschelling.