New LNG conversion partnership

The company will design gas powered propulsion systems for three of the company’s high speed ferries, the HSC Ramon Llull, HSC Jaume II and HSC Jaume III, which currently all run on diesel.

Baleária wants to benefit from the advantages of LNG which is a much cheaper, cleaner fuel and it’s a strategic move by the shipper to stay competitive in the market.

Neil Gulliver, Rolls-Royce, president-merchant, said: “This is our first LNG project in Spain, which joins a growing list of countries where operators are keen to investigate the potential applications for a marine fuel that will reduce emissions and reduce operating costs.”

It’s another clear demonstration that shipping companies are serious about converting existing fleets to use LNG, not reserving it just for newbuilds. Rolls-Royce Bergen gas engines are the only pure gas engines on the market.

The company will work with Baleària on developing efficient propulsion systems for the vessels which are a mix of catamaran and mono-hull design, with water jet propulsion.

Spanish company Cotenaval will lead the naval architecture aspects of the conversions.