Rolls-Royce power for ferry of the future

The ferry is the brainchild of Norwegian shipyard, Fjellstrand, shipping company, Norled, and engineering giant, Siemens.

Measuring in at 80m, the ZeroCat 120 is able to carry 120 cars and 360 passengers. It will serve the route between Lavik and Oppedal in Norway across the Sognefjord from 2015 onwards.

The Rolls-Royce Azipull propulsion system, which utilises pulling propellers as opposed to conventional azimuth thrusters, will help the battery powered, aluminium catamaran meet its high efficiency standards.

Neil Gilliver, President – Merchant, Rolls-Royce plc, said: “The combination of good manoeuvrability and reduced energy consumption provides a highly efficient ferry for Norled, with significantly reduced operating costs and improved environmental performance. This contract also marks the tenth anniversary of the delivery of our very first Azipull thrusters, which was also to Fjellstrand shipyard.”

The ferry will have a capacity of 120 cars and 360 passengers, and will operate at a speed of about 10 knots, taking 20 minutes to make its crossing.

It’s able to charge its lithium-ion batteries while loading or unloading cars, and overnight when moored along the quay.