Rolls-Royce to power new fast ferries

Designed by Incat Crowther UK, the vessels are being built by Penguin Shipyard International for AD Ports. They will replace existing ferries connecting the UAE mainland and Delma Island, around 42 kilometres offshore.

“We are very pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with Penguin Shipyard International, an expert in high-speed aluminium vessels, who have once again chosen us as their propulsion supplier,” said Chew Xiang Yu, director marine APAC at the business unit Power Systems of Rolls-Royce.

“This order also confirms that our propulsion solutions continue to be in high demand in the fast ferry market.”

The 56m RoPax will have four 16-cylinder mtu Series 4000 engines per vessel delivering a total of more than 10,000 kilowatts of power. They are expected to run at speeds of well above 30 knots, significantly reducing travel time for up to 250 passengers and 25 cars per trip.

Rolls-Royce has been supplying mtu engines to Penguin for more than ten years. As recently as spring 2023, Rolls-Royce Power Systems received an order for six 16-cylinder mtu Series 4000 engines for two new fire-fighting and rescue vessels being built by Penguin for the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

“Over the past decade, we have come to appreciate Rolls-Royce and their mtu solutions as our go-to partners in the powering of mission-critical high-speed vessels,” said James Tham, Penguin International’s managing director.

“Rolls-Royce is a dependable partner in good times and bad. They provide excellent customer experience for each project.”