Rolls-Royce has signed a contract with Afai Southern Shipyard (Panyu Guangzhou) Ltd. to provide power and propulsion for a third Blue Sea Jet, fast ferry for the Zhuhai High-Speed Passenger Ferry Co., Ltd.
The vessel, a catamaran, will be driven by twin MTU 16V 4000M70 engines powering Rolls-Royce Kamewa S71-4 waterjets. The vessel will carry 288 passengers between Zhuhai and Hong Kong quickly, quietly and in comfort.
The ferry is the third in a series of Rolls-Royce powered catamarans to be commissioned by the company. In February they took delivery of the first, the HAI QIN. During sea trials the HAI QIN reached a full load speed of 38 knots. The HAI QIN was followed into service by the HAI JING in March 2016. The ferries are the first to be built in China with Rolls-Royce’s most advanced waterjets.
Mr. Liang Kaibin Director General Manager of the Zhuhai High Speed Ferry Company said: “We were surprised and delighted that the vessel comfortably exceeded the contracted speed of 34 knots on trial. Both our customers and ourselves value the speed, stability and maneuverability that the Rolls-Royce equipment has given the vessel.
Richard Wang, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President, Offshore Merchant Solutions said: “The combination of Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets and MTU high-speed diesel engines will help the Zhuhai High Speed Ferry Company transport thousands of customers quickly, economically, reliably and sustainably every day.”
Class survey and construction design is being undertaken by the Afai Technology Center. The vessel is due for delivery in September 2017.
Source: Rolls-Royce