EVENDALE, OH - GE Marine Engines announced it will supply Kvaerner Energy, Oslo, Norway, with two LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines. Kvaerner Energy will assemble the gas turbines into two marine propulsion packages which will power the new Bornholms Trafikken fast ferry that will operate between Denmark and Sweden.
The fast ferry is being built by Austal Ships of Western Australia. Bornholms Trafikken will operate the fast ferry under lease from Austal. This project marks the first time an Australian shipyard will use the LM2500 for a commercial marine propulsion application. Twenty-four LM2500s are used to power the Australian Navy's ANZAC frigates.
The LM2500s for the Bornholms Trafikken fast ferry will drive two KaMeWa waterjets. The fast ferry will be 86 meters long, and will be capable of carrying 1,000 passengers and 186 cars. Service speed will be in excess of 40 knots with a full speed of 50 knots when loaded with 500 tonnes deadweight. This will ensure that the Austal vessel is the fastest ferry in the world capable of carrying in excess of 100 cars.
Including this project, there will be 66 GE LM aeroderivative gas turbines slated for use or operating in commercial marine service worldwide.
The gas turbines will be manufactured by GE Marine Engines at its Evendale, OH facility, and will be delivered to Kvaerner Energy's Oslo, Norway plant by June 1999. The fast ferry will begin commercial service in December 1999.
GE Marine Engines is part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale, OH. GE Marine Engines is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of commercial and military marine propulsion applications.