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Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has today confirmed that it has signed a contract with shipowner Fjord Line A/S to install liquefied natural gas (LNG) based power and propulsion systems in two cruise ferries being built at the Bergen Group Fosen AS yard in Norway. Each vessel will be equipped with four gas engines, powering a highly efficient Promas integrated rudder and propeller propulsion system.

The gas-only fuelled engines will reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions by about 90 per cent while Sulphur Oxide (SOx) and particulates emissions will be negligible. Emissions from Rolls-Royce gas engines are already within the limits of IMO (International Maritime Organisation) Tier III environmental legislation, due to come into force in 2016.

Rolls-Royce General Sales Manager - Merchant & Navy Engines, Odd Magne Horgen, said: "These vessels will be the first international LNG-fuelled passenger vessels in operation and we are very pleased to be a part of this groundbreaking project. Rolls-Royce technology will drastically reduce emissions delivering significant efficiency gains to the customer."

Chief Executive of Fjord Line Ingvald Fardal, said: "Fjord Line has a clear environmental strategy and choosing single fuel gas engines makes us pioneers in the cruise ferry industry. We will have the first and the largest cruise ferry ever to run on LNG as the sole fuel type. Rolls-Royce is the leading manufacturer of these well proven gas engines and we are very pleased to have their technology onboard."

Each of the vessels will have a deadweight of 4,000 tonnes and a length of 170 metres. They will have 309 cabins, and room for 1,500 passengers and 600 cars.

Rolls-Royce will deliver the gas systems during 2012, and the passenger ferries will begin regular service between the west coast of Norway and Denmark in the summer of 2013.