GE cruises on

GE Marine has secured an order for four LM2500 gas turbines from Fincantieri as part of the power system for a series of cruise ships for Holland America Line. Each 84,000g vessel will have one 25MW (33,512 bhp) gas turbine along with three 16ZA40 and two 12ZA40 diesel engines.

All the engines will be located in the lower part of the ship and the gas turbine will be used in simple cycle, with an exhaust gas boiler, to allow the vessel to be used in environmentally sensitive areas like Alaskan waters.

The first of the four vessels is due to be delivered in 2002, and there is an option for a fifth.