Rolls-Royce Power Systems supports first Europe–Africa green corridor

From 2027, the vessels will operate the 18 nautical mile route between Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco, using battery-electric propulsion. The project is regarded as a milestone for CO₂-neutral maritime transport and is backed by an international consortium of shipping companies, shipyards, port authorities, energy providers and industrial partners.

Under a contract placed by Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Armon, each ferry will be equipped with four mtu 20V4000M35S emergency generator sets. Rated at 2,840 kW each, the gensets will provide power redundancy, including in scenarios where the vessels’ on-board batteries cannot be charged as planned while in port.

Beyond the conventional role of supplying essential electrical systems, the emergency power units are also designed to secure the complete propulsion system in the event of a failure, providing an additional layer of operational safety for the fully electric concept.

Ricardo Garcia, head of marketing, sales & business development at Astilleros Armon, said that the integration of high-output yet compact systems was a critical requirement for innovative ship designs. He added that the mtu gensets met these demands and offered robust back-up for the ferries’ electrical architecture.

Rolls-Royce Power Systems said the high power density, low weight and compact dimensions of the mtu engines made them well suited to high-speed ferry applications. Delivery of the generator sets is scheduled for the first half of 2026, with the vessels expected to enter commercial service the following year.

Phil Kordic, senior expert, commercial marine b*usiness at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, described the project as an example of how zero-emission operation can be combined with reliable marine technology, noting the contribution of the mtu engines to both safety and efficiency.

The two identical catamaran ferries will be fully electric, with a maximum speed of up to 26 knots and capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles.